Alpha Diallo scored 19 points and Luwane Pipkins added nine as Providence survived a defensive tussle by earning a 63-58 Big East Conference victory Wednesday over visiting St. John's.

Diallo has scored at least 19 points in consecutive games for the Friars (11-7, 4-1), as he continues to distance himself from a three-point performance in a Jan. 4 victory over DePaul. The senior guard entered with a team-best 14.1 points per game.

LJ Figueroa scored 12 points while Rasheem Dunn had 11 as the Red Storm (12-6, 1-4) were unable to build any momentum after earning their first conference victory Saturday against DePaul.

Providence took a 31-26 lead into halftime despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes. The Friars defense was able to hold St. John's to 35.7 percent shooting.

Providence opened its advantage to 35-28 early in the second half before the Red Storm went on an 11-1 run to take a 39-36 advantage. Four different players contributed to the St. John's run with Mustapha Heron scoring four points.

The Friars responded immediately, going on an 8-0 run to take a 44-39 lead with 12:10 remaining as Diallo started that uprising with the first three points.

Diallo went to the bench after recording his fourth foul with 11:50 remaining, but the Friars were still able to maintain their lead. Diallo returned with 3:09 to play and Providence leading 57-52, and the Friars were able to finish off their sixth consecutive victory over the Red Storm.

Providence shot just 35.6 percent from the field in the game and 23.5 percent from 3-point range. St. John's went 37.3 percent and 26.1 percent in those respective categories.

Greg Williams scored 10 points for St. John's, which had 11 steals. It was the Red Storm's fifth consecutive game with double-digit steals, the longest active run in the nation.

Providence guard A.J. Reeves did not play because of a head injury that occurred against Butler last Friday. Starting forward Emmitt Holt (ankle) also was out Wednesday as Providence went with a seven-man rotation.

--Field Level Media