Providence returns to top 10 for first time since 1978, routs Massachusetts

Ben Bentil scored a career-high 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds Monday night to lead No. 10 Providence to a 90-66 victory over Massachusetts at Amherst, Mass.

“He’s a tough matchup,” Providence Coach Ed Cooley said of the sophomore, who made three three-point shots. “Anybody who can go off the bounce and go inside and out ... those are some scary numbers he put up today.”

Kris Dunn returned to the Friars (12-1) after sitting out the previous two games because of a stomach virus. The preseason All-America had 14 points and 11 assists in 24 minutes.

Earlier Monday, Providence moved into the top 10 for the first time January 1978, when it was ranked ninth.

Jabarie Hinds led Massachusetts (6-5) with 16 points. Trey Davis scored 14.

at No. 7 North Carolina 94, Appalachian State 70: Brice Johnson scored 22 points to lead the Tar Heels.

Guard Marcus Paige played only 17 minutes for North Carolina (10-2) before suffering an ankle injury in the first half.

Justin Jackson and Isaiah Hicks each scored 12 points for the Tar Heels. Joel Berry II had 11 points and a career-high 11 assists as North Carolina, an 89-76 winner over UCLA last Saturday, scored at least 80 points for the eighth consecutive game.

Freshman Ronshad Shabazz led Appalachian State (2-9) with 21 points.

at No. 19 West Virginia 84, Eastern Kentucky 59: Jaysean Paige scored all of his 17 points in the first half, leading the Mountaineers (10-1) to their sixth consecutive nonconference home victory.

Paige made six of 12 shots, including four of seven three-pointers.

Devin Williams had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Mountaineers. Daxter Miles Jr. scored 12 points and Jevon Carter scored 11, making three of seven three-point shots.

Javonte Hawkins led Eastern Kentucky (8-6) with 16 points and teammate Jaylen Babb-Harrison scored 15.