Duke Makes Big Statement in PC Win Over Butler

Thursday, December 31, 2020

GoLocal Sports Team

 

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David Duke, near triple-double PHOTO: PC

Providence College defeated the Butler Bulldogs, 71-55, on Wednesday, behind the big time performance  The Friars were led by junior David Duke  who was not far off a triple-double.

Duke recorded a game-highs of 22 points, a career-high 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

"Coach [Ed] Cooley having a lot of confidence in me helps me keep confidence in myself," Duke said. "My teammates also do a great job keeping me motivated and keeping me on track."

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 Nate Watson added 18 points and six rebounds for the Friars.

"Giving our players confidence allowed us to play more urgent and free," Head Coach Ed Cooley said. "It is a credit to their mental toughness and the preparation of execution."

For Duke it was another top performance and the Providence native is pilling up big time numbers and clutch accomplishments.

The Friars advance to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in BIG EAST play. 

At the 18:40 mark, Jimmy Nichols, Jr. completed an and-one for the first Friar points of the game. On the ensuing defensive possession, Nichols stole the ball and Duke dunked it on the fastbreak. The

Friars took an early 13-8 lead into the first media timeout. 

PC opened the game 8-for-8 from the field. Heading into the second media timeout, Butler had not scored in nearly three minutes. The Friars maintained the lead, 20-11, with 11:36 remaining in the first half. A.J. Reeves  added his first three-point basket of the game at the 9:52 mark.  He would finish 4-5 from behind the arc. 

With 8:48 left in the first half, Duke knocked down a second-chance jumper to give the Friars their first double-digit lead of the game, 25-15. In the final stretch of the half, Duke scored on three consecutive possessions. 

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' struggles on offense continued. The Friars defense held Butler to only three points in the final 10:35 minutes of the first half. Butler finished the half on a cold streak from the field, making only one of their last 14 attempts. 

The Friars led by 17 at halftime, 35-18. Providence shot 15-25 (60.0%) from the field, 2-5 (40.0%) from three, and 3-6 (50.0%) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs shot 8-28 (28.6%) from the field, 1-9 (11.1%) from three, and 1-3 (33.3%) from the free throw line. 

At the 17:28 mark, Reeves got the second half started for the Friars with a three-pointer from the right corner. The teams traded baskets leading up to the first media timeout of the half. Providence held control, 40-24.

Coming out of the 11:53 media timeout, Watson scored in the paint to give the Friars a 19-point advantage. With 8:44 remaining, Reeves made his third three-point basket to give the Friars their largest lead of the game, at 20 points. Providence led 57-37. 

A quick run by the Bulldogs narrowed the deficit to 11, but another corner three by Reeves extended the Friars lead in the final two minutes. Reeves finished with 12 points and five rebounds.

For the game, Providence was 28-48 (58.3%) from the field, 6-13 (46.2%) from three, and 9-12 (75.0%) from the free throw line. Butler finished 21-61 (34.4%) from the field, 7-26 (26.9%) from three, and 6-10 (60.0%) from the free throw line. Jair Bolden scored a team-high 15 points for the Bulldogs. 

The Friars had four players in double-figures in Duke, Watson, Reeves and Jared Bynum. Providence out-assisted and scored more points in the paint than Butler in the game. Six players finished in the scoring column for the Friars. 

 

NEXT GAME:  the Friars stay home and take on the No. 11 ranked Creighton Bluejays. The game is on Saturday, January 2 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is at 12 p.m. and will be televised on FOX. 

 

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