Providence defeats Butler 91-81 in Big East Conference Tournament

By The Associated Press
March 11, 2026 | 7:14 PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Stefan Vaaks had 28 points in Providence’s 91-81 victory against Butler on Wednesday in the Big East Conference Tournament.

Vaaks shot 9 for 16, including 8 for 13 from beyond the arc for the Friars (15-17). Ryan Mela added 23 points while going 10 of 14 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) while he also had nine rebounds and five assists. Jaylin Sellers had 23 points and shot 8 for 22 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Michael Ajayi led the way for the Bulldogs (16-16) with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Finley Bizjack added 17 points and five assists for Butler. Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor also had 10 points and two blocks.

Vaaks scored 14 points in the first half and Providence went into the break trailing 42-40. Sellers scored 19 points in the second half.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
June 27, 2026 | 12:32 AM

Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.

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