PC Blown Out at Villanova

PC Blown Out at Villanova

The Providence College men’s basketball team was hammered by Villanova in Philadelphia — losing 87-73.

It is the fourth Friar loss in a row.

Villanova led 45-28 as they closed the half on a 30-13 run.

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After halftime, the Friars got a spark as Stefan Vaaks hit three 3-pointers to give PC some life.

The Friars got within 6 points a couple of times, but Villanova repeatedly stretched the lead — driving it back to 74-54.

PC’s turnovers were costly. The Friars 14 miscues led to 19 Wildcat points.

Vaaks led the Friars with 25 points — 10-18 from the floor and 5-11 from 3-point range. Jaylin Sellers added 16 points.

Villanova 16-5 and 7-3. Devin Askew led the Cats with 20 points.

The Friars fall to 9-13 and 2-9. PC is now alone in last place in the Big East.

 

FIRST HALF:
• Jamier Jones opened up the scoring in the game on a driving baseline effort. On the following possession, Jones got out on the break and was able to convert on another layup to give the Friars the early 4-0 lead (17:46).  
• Stefan Vaaks got by his man and was able to finish at the rim to make it 6-4, Providence (16:39). 
• Oswin Erhunmwunse was able to gather a lob from Vaaks and throw it down to pull Providence within one. Vaaks got through the lane again and was able to connect on a floater to have the Friars go up one, 10-9 (13:46). 
• Jaylin Sellers got going with a pull-up jumper to tie the game at 12 after a Villanova basket (13:07). 
• Nilivan Daniels checked into the game and was able to grab an offensive rebound and find Sellers for a wide-open three-pointer to tie the game at 15 (12:18). 
• Vaaks was patient maneuvering through the lane and was able to find enough space to pull up for a mid-range jumper to make it 23-18, Villanova (10:24). 
• Vaaks found space again and was able to hit another mid-range jumper, 28-20, Villanova (8:45). 
• Daniels was able to knock down a three-pointer after a loose ball was gathered by the Friars. 37-25, Villanova (4:40).  
• Ryan Mela was able to get through the lane and hit a floater for the Friars to make it 45-28, Villanova (0:39).  
Villanova led at the half 45-28. 
• Providence shot 12-27 (44.4%) from the field, 2-10 (20.0%) from three, and 2-4 (50.0%) from the free-throw line.   
• Villanova shot 16-32 (50.0%) from the field, 8-17 (47.1%) from three, and 5-7 (71.4%) from the free-throw line.    
• Vaaks led the Friars with eight points.  
• The Friars held the advantage on the glass, 20-12.  
• The Friars held the advantage in points in the paint, 16-10.  
• Devin Askew led Villanova with 17 points off the bench.   


SECOND HALF:
• Vaaks was able to knock down a three-pointer to open up the half, cutting into the Villanova lead, 45-31 (19:35). 
• After a pair of Mela free throws, Vaaks was able to knock down back-to-back three pointers to pull the Friars within eight, 47-39 (17:44).  
• After the Friars were able to convert on four free throws, Duncan Powell (Dallas, Texas) converted on his first three-pointer of the night making it 54-46, Villanova (11:43). 
• Erhunmwunse got to the post and was able to connect on a turnaround hook shot. On the following possession, Vaaks knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the half to make it 59-51, Villanova (9:51). 
• Mela drove through the lane and finished at the rim on back-to-back possessions to cut into the deficit (5:19).  
• Sellers gathered a miss and was able to throw it down for a put-back dunk, making it 77-58, Villanova (4:33). 
• Out of the media timeout, Sellers stepped back and knocked down a tough mid-range jumper and Mela connected on a pull up on the following possession to cut into the deficit (2:55). 
• Mela continued to play hard and was able to drive through the lane and convert on a contested layup to make it 81-64, Villanova (2:06).  
• Sellers and Vaaks were both able to convert on baskets down the stretch. 82-68, Villanova (1:27). 
• Vaaks hit another three to pull the Friars within 12, 83-71 (1:16). 
• Villanova won, 87-73.  

DATA:
• Providence shot 28-58 (48.3%) from the field, 8-23 (34.8%) from three, and 9-14 (64.3%) from the free-throw line.   
• Villanova shot 30-59 (50.8%) from the field, 13-29 (44.8%) from three, and 14-22 (63.6%) from the free-throw line.     
• Three players finished in double figures for the Friars: Vaaks (25), Seller (16) and Mela (14). 
• Erhunmwunse finished with a game-high 12 rebounds.
• The Friars won the rebound battle, 40-26. 
• Vaaks extended his double-digit scoring streak to 22 games.  
• Askew led Villanova with 20 points.  

NEXT:
The Friars will return to action when they return home to the Amica Mutual Pavilion to take on the Butler University Bulldogs on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be streamed on Peacock.