The Providence College men's basketball team upset No. 1 Pittsburgh by a score of 81-73 on Tuesday, February 24 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. It was just the second time Providence had knocked off the No. 1 team in the country and the first time since Dec. 29, 1976 when PC beat then No. 1 Michigan 82-81 in double overtime. With the win, PC improved to 2-10 all-time vs. top-ranked opponents.

What sweetened the win for the Friars was the fact that it was also the last home game for the eight seniors on the squad.  PC shot 52.8-percent (19-36) from the floor in the opening stanza and held the Panthers to only 37.0-percent (10-27) shooting. The Friar defense forced 10 Pitt turnovers that led to 12 points for PC. Senior Jonathan Kale from Mattapan , MA , paced the Friars with 12 first-half points. 

After the Panthers moved within 15 two minutes into the second half, senior Jeff Xavier from Pawtucket, R.I., nailed a 3-pointer and Sharaud Curry converted a fastbreak lay-up to put PC back up by 20 (51-31) at the 17:19 mark of the second half.  Pittsburgh responded with a 12-1 run to pull within 10 at 52-42. After the Panthers' push, senior Randall Hanke from New York , N.Y. , tallied five straight points and Xavier nailed a 3-pointer as part of a 7-2 surge by the Friars that moved the team back up 61-44 with 9:40 to play.

As soon as the final horn sounded, hundreds of Friar fans rushed the court to celebrate with the team for their final home game.  The student section was filled to capacity and certainly made their presence known throughout the game as they cheered on the Friars from the opening ceremony honoring the seniors and never stopped until the game was over. 

The victory for the Friars gives them a major boost for their NCAA tournament resume as they hope to receive their first bid to post-season play since 2004.   Their win over DePaul University in the second round of the Big East Tournament on March 11 will also put them in a good place for the bid.