Friars Get Cooking At Free-Throw Line Nit

Derrick Brown and God Shammgod scored 19 points apiece, and Providence made 10 of its final 12 free throws in beating Fairfield 91-79 Friday in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

The Friars (18-11) advanced to a second-round game with St. Joseph.

Fairfield (20-10) led for the first 28 minutes, and was still within four points with 3 minutes left. But Providence’s prowess from the foul line in the final 1:24 staved off the rally.

The Stags, paced by Shannon Bowman’s 20 points, led by as many as eight in the first half and had a 46-43 lead at intermission. They stretched the edge to 55-47 with 17:41 to play on Greg Francis’ basket, but Providence rallied.