New York — It wasn't Providence junior forward Ryan Gomes' 24 points or sophomore guard Donnie McGrath's four second-half three pointers that beat the Illini.

It was their lack of movement against a ferocious 2-3 zone that wore down the Illini. No. 14 Illinois (4-2) lost to Providence (4-1) 70-51 Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

"I think we quit and it's sad too," Williams said. "That is not what Illinois basketball is about. We've never been known to quit and that is what happened."

Illinois head coach Bruce Weber noticed that the Illini did not have enough energy in the team shoot-around Tuesday morning and it followed the team into the game.

"The most disappointing thing was they out competed us," Weber said.

Tuesday night's 51 points matches the lowest amount of points Illinois has scored since Feb. 27, 2000, at Ohio State and is the team's first double digit loss since Jan. 29, 2002, when the Illini lost 78-67 to Ohio State for a span of 11 losses.

"Their start in the second half had them going and we never could recover," Weber said.

Providence started the second half on a 13-5 run, behind McGrath, who had 15 points, and Gomes' shooting. Once the Friars gained the lead they never gave it, or the momentum, back to Illinois as they outscored the Illini by 25 points in the second half.

"Gomes just took over and McGrath in the second half, McGrath hit the big threes and Gomes just dominates the boards and we didn't have any answers for it."

Illinois also didn't have any answers for Providence's 2-3 zone. The Illini settled for passing the basketball around the perimeter, which limited the Illini's offensive options.

"The shot clock would go down to 10 and they would force something up," Gomes said.

The major force in the zone was the play of Providence senior center Marcus Douthit. Douthit blocked six shots, causing Illini players to hesitate when shooting in the lane. The Friar defense clamped down, holding Illinois to eight-second half baskets.

"Every time someone went in there I think he blocked a shot," Illinois sophomore forward James Augustine, who recorded his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, said.

"We knew it was a tough zone," Weber said. "They were blocking some shots. They were active in their zone and we couldn't even get open threes. They seemed to be everywhere no matter what we tried to do."

When the Illini went with their perimeter attack, nothing would fall. Guards, junior Luther Head and sophomores Dee Brown and Deron Williams, combined to make one three pointer and shoot 5-for-23.

Providence was the first team this season to shut down Williams, who had been rock steady for the Illini thus far. Williams ended the game with three points and nine turnovers. As a team, the Illini committed a season-high 22 turnovers.

"We just got out on him," Providence coach Tim Welsch said of Williams. "We didn't want to give him good looks."

Now after playing four games away from Assembly Hall the Illini will look to regain their energy Thursday in Champaign against Maryland Eastern-Shore.