A big first half propelled Providence to an 83-70 win Saturday afternoon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Rhode Island.

Providence got out of the gates early, jumping out to a 33-13 lead with six minutes to play in the first half that was capped by a 19-2 run. The host Friars led, 48-27, at the half behind 8-of-13 shooting from three-point range. Twenty-one of A.J. Reeves' game-high 24 points (and five of his six three-pointers) came in the opening 20 minutes.

With the win by Providence, the Friars and Butler finish the regular season tied at 7-11 in the BIG EAST standings. The Bulldogs will learn their seed for next week's BIG EAST Tournament in New York City once the complete slate of conference games concludes tonight. Butler will play in one of Wednesday's two first round games at Madison Square Garden.

Providence (17-14) shot 51 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from behind the arc. The Friars went 18-of-22 from the free throw line and had a 38-23 rebounding advantage. In addition to Reeves' 24 points, Isaiah Jackson had 20 points.

Paul Jorgensen led Butler (16-15) with 17 points. Kamar Baldwin had 15 before fouling out. Joey Brunk had 13 points off the bench. Butler shot 45 percent.