PC Upsets #3 Villanova 76-71
Thursday, February 15, 2018
THE. DUNK. IS. ROCKING! @PCfriarsmbb leads #3 @NovaMBB by 8 after a Cartwright triple. Get to @FS1 for @CBBONFOX. #PCBB #BIGEASThoops pic.twitter.com/2Hb7vTw0LP
— #BIGEASThoops (@BIGEASTMBB) February 15, 2018
The Providence College Friars men's basketball team got its biggest win of the season, upsetting #3 Villanova 76-71 on Wednesday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
“I can’t be more proud of our kids and their resilient approach today. We are a little bit healthier, still not 100%, but I thought we played well defensively and I thought we had timely shots,” said PC head coach Ed Cooley in his press conference after the game.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIt is PC's second victory over a top-five team this season, after beating #5 Xavier earlier in the year.
Providence improves to 17-9 on the season and 8-5 in the Big East, good enough for a tie for third place with Creighton.
PC Holds Off Villanova
A three by Villanova’s Mikal Bridges cut the Friars lead to two, 49-47, with 10:27 to play in the game after the Friars had led by ten with 11:28 to play.
From that point, Rodney Bullock scored seven straight points for PC capped off with a dunk to put Providence up 56-49 with 8:43 to play.
Villanova would get back to within five, 67-62, with 1:47 to play, but Diallo would knock down two free throws to extend Providence’s lead back to seven.
The Wildcats would get within three, 74-71, with 15 seconds left, but Alpha Diallo would knock down two free throws to seal the upset.
The Friars were led by Kyron Cartwright who poured in 17 points and dished out five assists, while Bullock finished with 14 points.
PC Grabs 1st Half Lead
Despite shooting 31% from the field and just 21% from three in the first half, the Friars took a 27-23 lead into the break.
Trailing Villanova 21-19, PC’s Isaiah Jackson knocked down a three to put the Friars back in the lead, 22-21 with 4:06 to play.
Providence extended the lead to 24-21 on a jumper by Diallo, before the Wildcats got back within one, 24-23, following two free throws from Omari Spellman.
With 41 seconds left, Lindsey got a three to go to give Providence a four-point lead at the break.
Lindsey returned after missing PC's last game with a concussion.
Next up
The Friars return to action on Saturday, February 17 when they visit Butler.
PC beat Butler 70-60 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center earlier this season.
Game time is set for 12 p.m.
Providence now owns wins over both Villanova and Xavier. The epitome of Quadrant One. #pcbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 15, 2018
Related Slideshow: Providence College Basketball 2017-18 Projected Starting Lineup
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