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New York - Fourth-seeded Providence moved closer to an NCAA Tournament berth with a 79-74 victory against fifth-seeded St. John's on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament.

The Friars (21-11) are maybe in and the Red Storm (20-12) could be out, depending on what happens in the remainder of the league tournament.

Afterward Providence coach Ed Cooley politicked for St. John's.

"I think St. John's is clearly an NCAA Tournamet team," Cooley said. "They come out of the Big East and the league is a monster. I think the Big East should have five or six teams in."

As for his own team's NCAA chances, Cooley said, "I'm worried about Seton Hall (in the Big East semifinals. Everything else will take care of itself."

Notably, the Friars won with their All-American condidate, Bryce Cotton, sidelined for long stretches with foul trouble and poor (1 for 10).

"If you had told me Bryce would have been 1 for 10 and 0 of 4 (on three-pointers) and we'd be up here (on the winner's podium), I wouldn't have believed it," Cooley said. "That's the first time since I've coached him that he's been in foul trouble."

Providence had a 16-point lead with 6:10 remaining in the game, but St. John's rallied to make it a one-point game with 3:15 left.

A key momen happened with 25 seconds left in a three-point game. Providence guard Josh Fortune blocked a three-point attempt by D'Angelo Harrison and came up with the loose ball. Fortune made both free throws after being fouled to give the Friars a margin with which to work.

Providence will play eighth-seeded Seton Hall on Friday in the semifinals. The Pirates upset top-seeded and No. 3 Villanova in the quarterfinals.

Later tonight, Creighton plays DePaul and Marquette plays Xaiver. The winners will meet in the other semifianls tomorrow night.