NEW YORK — Ryan Arcidiacono made two foul shots with 3.1 seconds left to give Villanova a 63-61 win over Providence in a Big East Conference basketball tournament semifinal game Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova, which led by 13 points with 13½ minutes to go, watched the lead deteriorate over the next 13 minutes, and Providence tied the game on Kris Dunn’s layup with 12 seconds left after the Wildcats blew an inbounds play.
On Villanova’s next possession, Arciadiacono drove the right baseline and missed a short shot, but Providence’s Ben Bentil was called for a foul despite what appeared to be minimal contact.
Arciadacono, held to just four points up until that point, made both free throws.
LaDontae Henton’s 30-footer at the buzzer for the win glanced off the right side of the rim.
Daniel Ochefu had 15 points and 13 rebounds and Josh Hart added 15 points off the bench.
News
With the win, No. 4 Villanova reached its first Big East Conference tournament championship game in 20 years.
Dunn, co-Big East Player of the Year along with Arcidiacono, finished with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Villanova led 47-34 with 13:20 left, but Providence outscored the Wildcats, 27-14, over the next 13 minutes to tie the game.
Villanova will play the Georgetown-Xavier winner for its first Big East Conference title in 20 years.
Stat of the day
Villanova starters Arcidiacono, Dylan Ennis and JayVaughn Pinkston combined to make just two field goals.
What it means
Villanova reached its first Big East Conference title game since 1997, when it lost, 70-58, to Boston College in the title game. The Wildcats last won the conference tournament in 1995, beating UConn, 94-78.
Villanova improved to 31-2, with the 31 wins setting a school record. The 2009 team went 30-8.
Providence fell to 22-11, losing all three games to Villanova this year.
By the numbers
• Villanova is now 7-1 all-time vs. Providence in the Big East tourney and 9-1 vs. the Friars at neutral sites.
•The Wildcats haven’t lost to Providence in the tournament since 1994.
• Providence outrebounded Villanova by 12 (42-30).
• Villanova made just seven of 23 from three.
• Darrun Hilliard was 1 for 7 from three before fouling out in the final minutes with 12 points. Hart, Ochefu and Hilliard were the only Wildcats with more than one basket.
Up next
Top-seeded Villanova plays in the championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday against the winner of a game at 9:30 p.m. Friday between No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 6 seed Xavier.