PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Two free throws by Eric Atkins with 7 seconds left Wednesday allowed No. 9 Notre Dame to survive a huge game by Marshon Brooks and down Providence 94-93.
Brooks scored 52 points, the most in the history of the Big East Conference. He made 20-of-29 shots from the field and would have brought about an upset had not Notre Dame's Ben Hansbrough and Tim Abromaitis offset his effort by combining for 60 points.
Both teams made more than half their field goal attempts in a rare Big East offensive show.
The Fighting Irish led by as many as 16 points early in the second half, but a layup by Brooks brought the Friars within two with 8 seconds to play.
Atkins was promptly fouled and his free throws gave Notre Dame a four-point cushion.
Brooks hit a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left and Abromaitis missed two foul shots with a second remaining. But Providence did not have enough time to get off another shot.
Hansbrough scored 32 points and Abromaitis had 28 for Notre Dame (22-5, 11-4 Big East Conference).
Providence (14-14, 3-12) lost its fifth straight.
