New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Joe Alexander scored 22 points, including four key free throws in the final minute, as West Virginia held off Providence, 58-53, in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Da'Sean Butler added 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and nine rebounds for the Mountaineers (23-9), who beat the Friars for the third straight time this season to earn a date with fourth-seeded Connecticut in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Weyinmi Efejuku finished with 12 points and six rebounds for the Friars (15-16), who have dropped seven of their past nine games. Brian McKenzie chipped in with nine points, while Jamine Peterson had eight points and six boards.

The contest was tied at the half and remained tight throughout the final frame. Ted Talkington's hoop, with 2:50 left, gave the Mountaineers a modicum of breathing room.

Efejuku answered at the other end to make it a one-possession game, 52-50.

Both teams had chances from there. After a West Virginia miss, Efejuku missed a good look at a three from the top of the circle, but Butler bailed him out with a wild three that came up empty for the Mountaineers.

Jeff Xavier then drove the baseline for the Friars with a chance to deadlock things, but his shot was blocked by Darris Nichols and Providence was forced to foul Alexander with just 32.2 seconds on the clock.

Alexander calmly stroked two from the line in a one-and-one situation to make it 54-50.

Efejuku then missed a wild driving layup for Providence and Alexander went back to the line with 17 ticks on the clock to secure things for West Virginia.

The Friars lead by as many as nine points, 26-17, in the opening half after Charles Burch's bucket with 5:24 left.

But, West Virginia closed the stanza with an 11-2 run. Alexander drained a three at the buzzer to even things at 28 heading to the locker room.