It was an even match-up through the first four minute war, with Providence only leading 7-6 with 15:52 remaining in the first half.
After Providence scored to make it 9-6, Xavier went on a 10-0 run to make the score 16-9 sparked by a steal and three-pointer from Quentin Goodin. Paul Scruggs also had a huge steal and slam after Providence broke the run to push Xavier’s lead back to seven, 18-11.
Providence would respond with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 20-20 with 7:17 until the end of the first half. The Friars stretched it to a 16-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 27-20 lead with just 3:39 remaining in the first half.