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Xavier falls to No. 11 Providence in triple overtime

Stew Milne/AP

Providence's Jared Bynum (4) wipes condensation off the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Providence, R.I.

By: Taylor Weiter

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Xavier Musketeers could not overcome No. 11 Providence in triple overtime Wednesday night, falling to the Friars 99-92.

Xavier was up 66-63 with 2:43 left in the second when condensation on the floor became too much to handle. Providence center Nate Watson pointed at the floor after slipping while guarding Xavier's Dwon Odom.

𝙊𝙃 𝙈𝙔, 𝘿𝙒𝙊𝙉 𝙊𝘿𝙊𝙈. pic.twitter.com/xJnLEJPdJS
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) February 24, 2022

Players began pointing at the ceiling, causing refs to stop the game while crews worked to wipe up the floor and dry the roof of Dunkin' Donuts Center.

Providence athletic director Bob Driscoll Jr. told CBS Sports there was a chance they would finish the game later on campus if the condensation worsened, but the game was able to resume.

The Friars were able to tie Xavier in the final minute of regulation, sending the game into overtime. Xavier had a 75-70 lead with a little over two minutes left in overtime, but Providence was able to fight back and tie the game again, forcing double overtime.

Providence led 88-85 after an Alyn Breed free throw with six seconds left. However, Paul Scruggs hit a buzzer-beater to tie the game.

𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗦. 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗧. pic.twitter.com/CyNWxk8CZW
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) February 24, 2022

The game was tied 92-92 with less than two minutes left in triple overtime, but the Friars quickly jumped to a 97-92 lead after a Nate Watson layup and Jared Bynum dunk. Xavier was never able to catch up, losing 99-92.