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ST. THOMAS, USVI – La Salle rallied from a 13-point second half deficit to cut the Providence lead to one with 3:34 to play but the Friars held off the Explorer charge in a 71-63 victory in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam. PC (6-0) advances to play Maryland in tomorrow's championship game, while the Blue and Gold will take on Northern Iowa in the third place game (7:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network).

"We didn't lose to a good team today," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "We lost to a very good team. We gave them all we can handle and we played our hearts out."

Senior Tyreek Duren and junior Jerrell Wright each had 16 points and six rebounds, while senior Tyrone Garland added 14 points. Junior Steve Zack had his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

"I'm convinced Providence is going to be a really outstanding team this year," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "We're not that far away. We have to try to get a little bit better, have fewer lapses and try to win some of these close games."

For Providence, Tyler Harris had a game-high 22 points while Kadeem Betts scored 18 points.

A three-point play by the Friars' Carson DeRosiers made it 55-42 with 8:54 remaining. But Duren, who had been quiet up until that point, began to make his presence felt. He scored 12 points in a 16-4 run over the next three minutes that cut the deficit to 59-58 with 3:34 left.

The Friars scored the next four points to gain a more comfortable lead but a Wright lay-up brought it back to a three-point PC lead with 2:32 to play. It was as close as La Salle would get.

La Salle (3-3) got off to a quick start, leading 11-2 through five minutes thanks to nine points from Zack and Wright. Providence controlled play up until halftime, holding a 30-26 lead at the break.

UNI holds a 2-3 record following an 80-66 loss to Maryland in the other Paradise Jam semifinal.