Artest's layup with 10 minutes 27 seconds left tied the score at 46-46, but the Pirates never fell behind.
After an eight-game winning streak, the Pirates fell to 11-3, 1-1 in the Big East.
The Pirates, enduring a stressful season that was somewhat anticipated, fell to 10-7, 3-6, with nine regular-season games left.
A low-revenue operation, the Pirates should fall into the category of a team building with youth.
That was the margin the Pirates fell short by when the game ended, 80-77, in favor of Providence.
The Pirates, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games, fell to 8-14 and 3-10.
The Pirates have fallen out of the division lead three times previously since April 22, only to regain first place the following day.
In 1993, the Pirates fell to 75-87; last year they were 53-61.
But tonight the Pirates fell behind early, faded as the game progressed and were never able to overcome their cold shooting against Connecticut's zone defense.
The Pirates fell into a stupor again in a 68-61 loss to Pittsburgh, their fifth straight defeat.