Providence holds off DePaul to snap brief losing streak

Jaylin Sellers had 21 points while Stefan Vaaks scored 14, including a key 3-pointer in the closing minutes, as visiting Providence held on for a 71-68 win over DePaul in Big East play Saturday night at Chicago.

Jason Edwards added 17 points off the bench for the Friars (12-15, 5-11), who overcame 18 turnovers by shooting 51% from the field and 8 of 16 from distance to avoid a third straight defeat since beating DePaul 90-72 at home Feb. 7.

NJ Benson had 19 points with 10 rebounds for the Blue Demons (14-13, 6-10), who trailed by three at halftime but scored 11 of the first 12 points out of the break to lead 46-39 three minutes into the half. Benson had five points during that surge while RJ Smith (10 points) and Layden Blocker each knocked down a 3.

Providence, though, fought back. Trailing 49-43, the Friars scored 14 of the next 16 points, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Sellers and Vaaks, to go ahead 57-51 with less than 10 minutes to play.

DePaul, however, remained at arms' length, and got within 69-66 on a bucket from Brandon Maclin (14 points), but Vaaks drained a wing 3 with 2:54 remaining in regulation to provide breathing room.

Maclin scored the game's next four points to get DePaul within 69-68 but Blocker missed two free throws with 10.3 seconds to go and then another after the Friars' Ryan Mela sank a pair from the stripe.

DePaul led 5-2, then Providence scored the next 10 points, highlighted by two 3-pointers from Vaaks, and never trailed the rest of the half. Sellers, meanwhile, scored 10 of Providence's 11 points during one stretch and finished 6-of-9 shooting for 14 points through the first 20 minutes.

The Friars shot 51.6% from the floor and 5 of 9 (55.6%) from beyond the arc in the first half, when their biggest lead was 32-24 with less than five minutes to play. However, the Blue Demons, thanks to nine points and two dunks from Benson, shot 48.3% and scored 11 of the final 17 of the opening half to trail 38-35 at the break.

Providence has won 13 of the last 15 versus DePaul, including seven straight at Chicago.