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Men's Basketball
at Pitt (Exhibition)
2:00 p.m.
Providence College Athletics
Tuesday, November 16
Providence, R.I.
7:00 PM
Providence College
83
vs
78
Niagara (Preseason NIT)
Gomes leads Friars To Comeback Win Over Niagara, 83-78
11/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2004
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Senior Ryan Gomes scored 25 points, grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds and hit the game-winning jumper in the lane with 24 seconds left as Providence overcame a 13-point deficit to escape with a 83-78 victory over Niagara in the first round of the Preseason NIT on Tuesday night.
Providence trailed by 13, 74-61 with 8:15 to play, but the Friars went on a 13-2 run capped by Tuukka Kotti's layup with 2:55 remaining that made it 76-74.
The teams traded free throws and Kotti sank one of two from the foul line before Niagara committed three consecutive turnovers. Providence was able to take advantage when Gomes converted from just inside the foul line.
It was the first time that Providence (1-0) has played in the Preseason NIT. The Friars will face Pennsylvania on Thursday night at home in the second round.
Dwight Brewington scored a career-high 19 points for the Friars.
Niagara (0-1), which finished 22-10 last season, lost for the 13th straight time to Providence and fell to 4-21 overall against the Friars. The last Purple Eagles victory against Providence came on Jan. 24, 1970.
Juan Mendez led Niagara with 22 points and David Brooks added 20. Additionally, Providence held the Purple Knights with out a field goal over the final 4:55 of the contest.
In other Preseason NIT action, Pennsylvania defeated Quinnipiac, 74-60. Providence will host the Quakers in the second round of the Preseason NIT on Thursday, Nov. 18 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
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