NEW: PC Gets Biggest Win of Season, Beats Texas 70-48
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: PC Gets Biggest Win of Season, Beats Texas 70-48
The game was nearly a must-win for Providence, as a loss would have seen them finish the non-conference schedule with a losing record.
Instead, PC finishes 7-6 with Big East play looming.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTProvidence was led by Alpha Diallo, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
Texas falls to 9-2 on the season with the loss.
PC Cruises Past Texas
Coming off a dismal offensive performance against Florida earlier this week, the PC offense got off to a hot start against the Longhorns.
After trailing 5-1 early on, the Friars went on a 14-2 run to take a 15-7 lead on a Luwane Pipkins three with 14:02 to play in the half.
A David Duke three later in the half extended the Friars lead to 11, 24-13, with nine minutes left in the frame.
Texas would get back within six, 24-19, on an Andrew Jones three with 6:43 left in the half, but the Friars would respond.
Sparked by an Emmitt Holt dunk, PC would rip off a quick 7-0 run to take a 31-19 lead with 3:40 left to play.
The Longhorns would get back within seven, 31-24, before Pipkins knocked down back-to-back threes with an and-1 to give the Friars a 38-24 lead.
Pipkins finished the game with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three.
Providence would take a 43-28 lead into the half.
After making just one three against Florida on Tuesday, PC knocked down seven threes against Texas and shot 50% from beyond the arc.
Texas never threatened in the second half as Providence opened the frame on a 9-3 run to take a 52-33 lead.
Providence would cruise to the 70-48 win.
PC finished the game shooting 38% from three and 38% from the field, while knocking down 55% of their free throws.
Big East Play Begins
The Friars open Big East play on New Year's Eve when they host the Georgetown Hoyas at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.