BOX SCORE (.html)

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NEW YORK, N.Y. - Sophomore Herb Pope (Aliquippa, Pa.) had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Seton Hall built a huge second-half lead before barely holding off a furious Providence rally for a 109-106 victory in the first round of the Big East tournament Tuesday night.

Five players scored in double-figures for the Pirates.  In addition to Pope's 27 points, sophomore Jordan Theodore (Englewood, N.J.) scored 21 points and dished out a team-high six assists. 

In a breakneck game between two of the league's best offensive teams, the Pirates (19-11) opened a 76-47 advantage with about 13:30 to play.

But the Friars (12-19), led by Jamine Peterson's 38 points and 16 rebounds, charged nearly all the way back and turned the final minutes into a frantic finish.

Vincent Council's pull-up jumper cut it to 109-106 with about 8.5 seconds left. And after Jeff Robinson missed two free throws on the other end, Providence-incredibly-had a chance to tie.

Duke Mondy missed a 3-pointer, however, leaving the Friars with 11 straight losses to end the season.

No. 10 seed Seton Hall will play seventh-seeded Notre Dame on Wednesday night.  Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)