Jan. 9, 2001

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Forward Romuald Augustin tied his career-high with 21 points and Abdul Mills added 13 as Providence defeated Villanova 76-67 Tuesday night.

Maris Laksa added 10 points for the Friars (10-5, 1-1 Big East), whose aggressive man-to-man defense forced 24 Villanova turnovers.

Michael Bradley had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (10-3, 2-1). Representatives from eight NBA teams were on hand to observe Bradley, a 6-10 junior who transferred from Kentucky.

Villanova held a 40-36 lead one minute into the second half before Providence ran off 12 straight points, 6 by Mills, to take a 48-40 lead with 16:21 left.

Villanova closed to 63-56 on a Bradley layup with 6:44 to go, but Providence ran off 8 straight points, capped by a layup by Marcus Douthit, and Villanova never threatened again.

The Friars jumped out to a 21-12 lead before Villanova scored 12 straight points to take a 24-21 edge with 7:57 left in the first half.

A layup by Jermaine Medley gave the Wildcats a 38-33 edge, but a three-point shot just before the buzzer by Augustin brought the Friars to within 38-36 at halftime.

Since Villanova coach Steve Lappas took over in 1992, the Wildcats are 76-11 at home, with Providence handing them four of the losses.