Providence’s Win Keeps Connecticut From Cinching Title

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Troy Brown matched his career-high with 21 points and Michael Brown added 16, including the game-clinching foul shot, and Providence surprised No. 4 Connecticut 72-70 Monday night in Providence, R.I.

The loss denied Connecticut’s Huskies their second straight Big East regular-season title. They can still clinch it with a victory Saturday night at Miami or if Villanova loses one of its last two games.

Providence (6-11 Big East, 14-11) saw a 13-point second-half lead cut to 71-68 with 46 seconds left. Connecticut (15-2, 22-3) forced a turnover, committed a turnover, then got the ball back on a traveling call with 26 seconds left.

The Huskies worked the ball around until Donny Marshall, who sat out most of the first half with foul trouble and was benched for most of the second, let go an air ball 3-pointer. Michael Brown was fouled on the rebound and made a foul shot to seal the victory.

Doron Sheffer’s layup at the buzzer cut the deficit to 72-70.

(18) Oklahoma St. 77, (24) Iowa St. 49

Terry Collins, playing his final home game, matched his career-high with 17 points and led a 17-1 run at the start of the second half that carried the Cowboys (10-3 Big Eight, 20-8) to victory over the Cyclones (5-7, 19-8) at Stillwater, Okla.

Oklahoma State moved into a tie for first place in the conference and will play at No. 3 Kansas on Sunday for the regular-season championship.