Providence out to extend late-season push vs. Marquette

While the season has not gone to plan for Providence, there's been plenty to celebrate lately.

The Friars will put a three-game winning streak on the line Wednesday when they host Marquette.

Providence (14-15, 7-11 Big East) began its streak Feb. 21 at DePaul, took down Xavier at home and narrowly beat host Creighton on Saturday. Jaylin Sellers won Big East Player of the Week after leading Providence with 27 points on 5-for-8 shooting from deep against Creighton.

"We've been in a lot of these games this season, fortunate to get away with that one," Providence coach Kim English said. "Proud of our guys for our fight, our resolve."

Marquette (10-19, 5-13 Big East) suffered a setback at home Sunday against rival DePaul, scoring just 14 points in the first half and ultimately falling 62-51.

Big East Freshman of the Week Nigel James Jr. led Marquette with 14 points while Chase Ross, who played through a shoulder injury, added 12.

"It had been quite a while for us where our guys had that deer in headlights look, but they had it there," Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. "Not good enough if we're scoring 14 points, obviously."

The last time these teams faced off was one of the highlights of the Big East season as Marquette won a 105-104 overtime thriller on Jan. 19.

James had a career-high 38 in that one, shooting 13-for-20 from the floor. Sellers had 27 for Providence in a game where backcourt sidekick Jason Edwards was not available due to injury.

James averages 16.2 points and 4.9 assists per game and Ross scores 14.4 points. Sellers leads Providence with 18.0 points per game and Edwards adds 17.6.

There's a chance these teams could face off once more this season as the outlook of the Big East Tournament begins to take shape. Providence currently sits in seventh place and Marquette is 11th, making a rematch in either the 7-10 game or the 6-11 game possible.

--Field Level Media