NEW: PC Beats Iona 91-79 Behind Diallo's 23 Points

Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team

NEW: PC Beats Iona 91-79 Behind Diallo's 23 Points

AJ Reeves had 20 points for Providence
The Providence College Friars men's basketball team cruised past the Iona Gaels 91-79 on Saturday afternoon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. 

“We won the game, but we didn’t play the game the way I wanted to play. In saying that we did the right things to win the game. Up 21, that’s a big lead to come back from on the road. I credit the guys, we found a way to win,” said PC head coach Ed Cooley after the game.

PC was led in the game by Alpha Diallo who poured in 23 points, while freshman A.J. Reeves added 20. 

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The win improves PC to 4-2 on the season while Iona drops to 2-3.

PC Holds on in 2nd Half

After leading by as much as 21 points in the second half, the Friars saw their lead cut to nine, 80-71 with 4:50 to play in the game.

“Give Iona a lot of credit, second half they were in a great offensive rhythm, getting the shots they wanted. I don’t think we were being disruptive and their ball screen offense really hurt us,” said Cooley.

In the midst of the under four-minute media timeout, Iona’s Rickey McGill was called for a technical foul after being called for a regular resulting in four straight free throws for Providence.

Diallo hit the first two and Nate Watson hit the second two to push PC’s lead back to 84-71 with 3:56 to play.

Providence would then get a layup by Reeves to push their lead to 86-71.

Providence would go on to win 91-79. 

The Friars shot 49% from the field int he game and 80% from the free throw line. 

PC Takes Control Early

The Friars trailed 19-18 with ten minutes left in the first half before a jumper by Diallo and a three-pointer by Maliek White sparked a 13-3 run to give Providence a 31-22 lead with 5:51 left.

Diallo had 15 of his points in the first half. 

Iona would PC’s lead to 31-25 on a three by E.J. Crawford with 5:21 left to play in the half, before PC would again pull away.

The Friars would go on a 10-2 run capped off by a David Duke layup to take a 44-27 lead with 2:19 left in the half.

PC would lead 48-32 at the break.

Next Up

The Friars return to action Tuesday, November 27 when they host Fairleigh Dickinson.

Game time is set for 8:30 p.m.


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