ESPN Men's Basketball

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Donnie McGrath tied an NCAA record for three-point field goals without a miss, going 9-for-9 for a career-high 27 points and Ryan Gomes added 20 points, helping Providence end a seven-game losing streak with a 98-79 win over Virginia Wednesday night.

McGrath was one 3-pointer short of the school record, set by Donta Wade on Dec. 23, 2000 against Notre Dame. He shares the NCAA record with Evansville's Markus Wilson (9-for-9 vs. Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 18, 1998), and Old Dominion's Mark Poag (vs. VMI on Nov. 25, 1997).

Dwight Brewington had 17 and Tuukka Kotti 15 for Providence (10-11).

Gomes, held to five points in the first half, scored nine of Providence's first 11 after halftime.

Devin Smith led Virginia (10-9) with 24 points. The Cavaliers have lost seven of eight, while Providence remains winless in the Big East.

Providence hit its first seven shots of the second half, taking a 61-51 lead on McGrath's 3-pointer with 14:28 to play.

After McGrath's sixth 3-pointer made it 66-56, the Cavaliers scored the next seven points, closing the gap to three on Gary Forbes' layup with 8:14 to play.

With the Friars still holding a three-point lead, McGrath hit consecutive 3-pointers, 17 seconds apart, to make it 74-65 with 6:41 left.

The win spoiled the return of former Providence coach Pete Gillen, who coached the Friars from 1994-98 and led them to the Elite Eight in 1997.

The Friars led 40-39 at the half.