Journal Sports Writer Follow @BillKoch25
CINCINNATI --- Another slow start ultimately doomed Providence College on Wednesday night.
The Friars played their worst defensive half of the season to hand No. 8 Xavier an early lead it never relinquished, holding off the Friars for a 85-74 victory at a rocking Cintas Center.
The Musketeers piled up 52 points through the opening 20 minutes and held off several Providence charges over the final 20, watching their lead dwindle to six on two occasions down the stretch. Xavier always seemed to have an answer and the 23rd-ranked Friars ultimately fell for the fifth time in their last seven.