Kyle Kuric scored 25 points and Preston Knowles added 20 on his senior night as No. 11 Louisville pounded visiting Providence, 87-60, on Wednesday night to clinch a double-bye in the first round of the Big East Conference Tournament.

Kuric drained 11-of-18 shots and Knowles added 10 rebounds and five assists as the Cardinals (23-7, 12-5 Big East) avenged an earlier 72-67 loss to the Friars on Jan. 22.

Vincent Council led Providence (14-16, 3-14) with 20 points, but conference scoring leader Marshon Brooks was held to just 12 points and 3-of-13 shooting. Brooks scored 27 in the earlier win. The loss was the seventh straight for the Friars.

The win moved Louisville into sole possession of third place in the Big East, one-half game ahead of St. John’s and one game behind Notre Dame for second. The top four finishers receive first-round byes. The Cardinals close Saturday at West Virginia