NEW YORK -- Pierre Brooks II scored 25 points and ninth-seeded Butler earned a wire-to-wire 75-69 victory over eighth-seeded Providence in the opening round of the Big East tournament on Wednesday. The Bulldogs (14-18) snapped a four-game losing streak and advanced to a matchup with top-seeded St. John's in the first quarterfinal on Thursday afternoon. Brooks helped the Bulldogs advance past the opening round of the conference tourney for the first time since 2022 by producing his ninth 20-point game this season. The senior made 11 of 18 shots and helped the Bulldogs fend off Providence's comeback bids on numerous occasions.
Butler advances with wire-to-wire win over Providence
