A.J. Reeves lifts Providence over Seton Hall in Overtime Thriller

In an afternoon filled with drama in the Big East, Providence and Seton Hall did not disappoint.

A.J. Reeves hit a corner three with 3.1 seconds remaining in overtime to give Providence a win in their first Big East game of the season.

Both teams got off to a hot start in this one, starting a combined 5-5 from the field through the game’s first two minutes. Seton Hall would build a seven point lead after a Tyrese Samuel dunk with 9:46 to play in the first half, but Providence would answer with an 8-0 run. The teams traded baskets to finish the half, and Seton Hall would head into the break with a 40-38 lead. Both teams combined to shoot 31-59 from the floor in a high-scoring initial frame.

Providence and Seton Hall would go back and forth throughout the second half. The Pirates built a nine point lead early with Mamukelashvili, Rhoden, and Obiagu all hitting free throws to extend their advantage. David Duke and Nate Watson would lead an 11-0 run for the Friars later in the half to go ahead by three. Two Duke free throws with under two minutes to play would give Providence a five point lead, their largest of the contest.

With fifteen seconds remaining, David Duke would add two more shots from the line, putting Providence ahead 72-69. Sandro Mamukelashvili took the ball for Seton Hall and drove the lane, dunking the ball over Jimmy Nichols and drawing a foul in the process. He made the free throw the complete the three point play, and the teams headed the overtime knotted at 72.

The extra period was a low-scoring affair. After Mamu tied the game again at 77 with 2:43 to play, Providence and Seton Hall combined to miss their next five shots from the field. The Friars had the ball with ten seconds to play in overtime. Enter A.J. Reeves.

David Duke drove from the right wing but picked up his dribble under the basket. Surrounded by Shavar Reynolds and Ike Obiagu, the junior had one option. He looked to the far corner and found his classmate, A.J. Reeves, wide open. Duke dished, Reeves swished, and the Friars went ahead. Takal Molson’s last ditch attempt missed, and the Friars had their first win at the Prudential Center since 2015.

Although Reeves got the last word, Nate Watson led the way for the Friars. Watson tied his career-high with 23 points and set a new one with 11 rebounds on the way to his 3rd career double-double. Watson also became the 51st Friar to score 1,000 points. David Duke also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and forward Jimmy Nichols added a career-high 10 points off the bench. Jared Bynum had a game-high 8 assists.

Sandro Mamukelashvili led Seton Hall with 20 points, his fifth 20 point performance of the season, and he added a team-high 6 assists as well. Ike Obiagu had the most rebounds for the Pirates with 9. Jared Rhoden (16), Myles Cale (16), and Shavar Reynolds (12) all scored in double-figures.

Providence travels to play at Butler on Wednesday, and Seton Hall will stay home to take on Georgetown.