PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) With No. 23 Providence trailing Butler by seven midway through the first half, Friars coach Ed Cooley brought Jared Bynum off the bench.

PC scored the next 13 points and never trailed again.

Boosted by the return of their regular starting point guard, the Friars overcame a sluggish start and pulled away to beat Butler 79-58 on Wednesday night. Bynum had four points, three assists and a rebound in just under 11 minutes - his first action after missing four games with an abdominal strain.