PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -Weyinmi Efejuku had 28 points and Providence survived a late Rutgers rally run to beat the Scarlet Knights 73-66 on Sunday.
The Friars (18-11, 10-7 Big East), playing for the first time since they beat No. 1 Pittsburgh on Tuesday, built a 19-point second-half lead before seeing it almost evaporate when Rutgers rallied with a 16-0 run.
But Jeff Xavier's 3-pointer with 2:41 left stopped the spurt, and he added two free throws in the ensuing trip to give the Friars a 67-59 cushion. Xavier finished with 13 points for Providence, which won for the fourth time in six outings.
Rutgers (10-19, 1-15), which lost its seventh straight game, was led by Gregory Echenique, who finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, seven blocks and five steals.
