PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – In a boxing match, a fighter's corner can throw a towel into the ring to stop the fight and save their fighter from a savage beating.
For about the first 15 minutes Wednesday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, it looked like Xavier might need someone to toss that towel onto the floor because Providence was pummeling the Musketeers.
The towel never came, but Xavier's response did. Only it wasn't enough.
The Musketeers battled back from a 15-point deficit to make it a game, but Providence prevailed in the final minute, 80-74.