NEW YORK -- Ben Bentil scored 38 points with an impressive array of power moves and long jumpers, leading Providence to a 74-60 victory over Butler in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals Thursday.
Kris Dunn added 15 points and seven assists for the fourth-seeded Friars (23-9), who led for nearly 37 minutes and pulled away in the second half. They advanced to the semifinals Friday night against third-ranked and top-seeded Villanova, an 81-67 winner over Georgetown in Thursday's first game at Madison Square Garden.
Bentil's dazzling performance matched the second-highest scoring output in tournament history.