NEW: #12 Providence Comes Back to Beat #9 Butler 81-73
Friday, January 01, 2016
The #12 Providence College Friars (13-1, 1-0 Big East) defeated the #9 (11-2, 0-1 Big East) Butler Bulldogs 81-73 on Thursday afternoon in Indiana. This is the second straight season in which the Friars have won a game at Butler and the first time since 2004 PC has beat a top 10 team on the road.
PC is also off to their best start since the 1988-89 season in which they started 12-0.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter leading 67-59, the Friars saw their lead cut to just one point, 67-66, with just over four minutes to go in the game. On the very next possession, Rodney Bullock would knock down a three-pointer to give PC a four point cushion at 70-66.
Ben Bentil would add two free throws to put the Friars up 72-66 with just three minutes left in the game.
Butler would get within three, 74-71, with 1:38 to play in the game, however, Ben Bentil knocked down a corner jump shot to give the Friars a 5 point cushion again.
Providence would knock down their free throws and Butler would only score two points the rest of the way.
The Come Back
After trailing by 9, 36-25, at the half, Providence opened the second half on a 19-7 run to take a 44-43 lead sparked by three-pointers from Drew Edwards and Rodney Bullock.
Butler ended the first half on a 23-6 run to take their 9 point lead at the half. The Friars also trailed by 9 points a the half of last season''s game before coming back to win.
The Leaders
The Friars were led by Rodney Bullock who had a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
Kris Dunn finished the game with 20 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Only 4 of Dunn's 20 points came in the first half.
Next up
The Friars return to action on Saturday, January 2 when they host St. John's at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
Related Slideshow: 5 Takeaways From #12 PC’s 81-73 Win Over #9 Butler
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