NEW YORK -- Kris Jenkins scored 21 points and No. 3 Villanova smothered Providence stars Ben Bentil and Kris Dunn on defense, advancing to the Big East championship game with a 76-68 victory Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
Ryan Arcidiacono added 15 points and a headlong dive over the press table, landing two or three rows deep Derek Jeter-style. Hobbled center Daniel Ochefu scored all eight of his points in the final 6:41, helping the top-seeded Wildcats (29-4) hold on down the stretch.
They will try to win their second consecutive tournament title when they face the Seton Hall-Xavier winner on Saturday night.