Jan. 17, 2007

Box Score

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Jamar Nutter hit three 3-pointers in the final 3:32 for his only baskets to lead Seton Hall to a 69-68 over Providence on Wednesday night, a game that ended with Geoff McDermott of Friars missing a game-winning layup at the buzzer.

Paul Gause had 14 points to lead Seton Hall (11-6, 3-2 Big East), which avenged a 22-point loss to the Friars (12-5, 2-2) less than two weeks ago.

Eugene Harvey added 13 points, Larry Davis had 12 and Brian Laing 11. Nutter, who missed his first seven shots, finished with 10.

Herbert Hill had 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead Providence, while Sharaud Curry had 16 of his 19 in the second half. Brian McKenzie had a career-high 12 points, while McDermott finished with 11 on 5-of-8 shooting. His last miss was costly, though.

Nutter's third 3-pointer gave Seton Hall a 69-65 lead with 47.8 seconds to play, and the Pirates seemed to be in control when McKenzie turned the ball over with 36.6 seconds to play.

Harvey was fouled on the inbounds play but he missed the first shot on a one-and-one opportunity. Weyinmi Efejuku then cut the lead to 69-67 with a floater in the lane with 27.6 seconds to play.

After a Seton Hall turnover, Efejuku was fouled and made one of two free throws, cutting the lead to one point with 18.5 seconds left. Providence got the ball back after a missed free throw, and Curry had a shot blocked out of bounds with 3.1 seconds to play. Providence inbounded the ball and Curry made a nice pass inside to McDermott, but his layup hit off the backboard and went off the side of the rim at the buzzer.