Feb. 23, 2005

Box Score

By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Ryan Gomes scored 19 points and became Providence's all-time leading scorer in the Friars' 67-54 victory over undermanned Seton Hall on Wednesday night.

Gomes added eight rebounds to become the school's fifth player with 1,000 career rebounds as Providence (12-15, 2-11) snapped a two-game losing streak and handed Seton Hall (11-13, 3-10) its third straight loss and sixth in seven games.

The Big East Conference's leading scorer, Gomes broke Jimmy Walker's 38-year-old school scoring record of 2,045 points, hitting a 3-pointer from the left wing with 9:14 to play. He finished the game with 2,048 points and 1,001 rebounds.

Donnie McGrath added 14 points, including eight in the final 3:48. Tuukka Kotti also had 14.

Seton Hall's Grant Billmeier had careers-highs of 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 1:58 to play. Donald Copeland added 12 and John Allen had 11 for the Pirates, who were without three key players.

Center Kelly Whitney, the Pirates leading scorer and rebounder, was suspended before the game for violation of team rules. Freshman guard Justin Cerasoli was sidelined with an undisclosed injury and junior guard J.R. Morris is still suspended for academic reasons.

Despite shooting 31.6 percent for the game, Seton Hall came close to spoiling Gomes' big night, which included 7-of-11 shooting for the senior.

Down 49-42 after Gomes' record-breaking basket, the Pirates went on a 10-4 run and drew within 53-52 on a layup by Brian Laing with 5:19 to go.

After DeSean White missed a shot, Copeland rushed the ball upcourt and worked his way to the basket for what seemed to be an easy layup. He missed it, though, and that seemed to take the air out of Seton Hall.

Randall Hanke hit a layup after the Copeland missed and McGrath sank the first of two clutch 3-pointers with 3:48 to go to put the Friars up six.

After Billmeier scored on a rebound, Providence closed the game with a 9-0 run.