PC Inconsistency Becomes the Norm, Friars Lose to UConn 73-61

Thursday, February 18, 2021

 

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Nate Watson PHOTO: PC File

Oh the Friars. In a year of the pandemic and openings and closings, the PC men’s basketball team seems to be the ultimate example - a win here or there and then a couple of losses. Just when things seem to be getting back to normal, then a step back.

The PC men's basketball team lost to the UConn Huskies, 73-61, on Wednesday, February 17.

The loss comes less than a week after the Friars beat UConn 70-59.

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All season the Friars have been led by big performances by Nate Watson and David Duke. When both play well, it is almost always a Friars win and, in some cases, just one of them can carry the team, but Wednesday night Duke scored just 11 and Watson only 6.

The Friars move to 11-11 overall and 7-9 in BIG EAST play. Alyn Breed led the team in scoring with 14 points. 

Game Story

At the 18:13 mark, Watson put the Friars in the scoring column. Watson also added the team's second basket from the paint. The Huskies answered with a quick 7-0 scoring run. UConn led 7-4 through the first media timeout.

The Friars used a timeout of their own after UConn's scoring run continued. With 14:01 remaining in the half, Duke broke the scoring drought with a layup. The Huskies held control, 16-10, at the 11:48 timeout. 

Following the pause in the action, A.J. Reeves  and Noah Horchler  knocked down three-pointers on back-to-back possessions.  Each team was scoring at ease as the first half progressed. The game was knotted at 16 with 10:51 left.

UConn held a 26-21 advantage at the 6:18 break. A jumper by freshman Breed narrowed the deficit to six points at the 1:34 mark. Breed had an impact on both ends of the floor in the last two minutes. The Huskies maintained their lead through the final stretch of the first half. 

The Huskies led at halftime, 37-31. Providence shot 11-29 (37.9%) from the field, 3-8 (37.5%) from three, and 6-7 (85.7%) from the free throw line. UConn shot 15-35 (42.9%) from the field, 2-6 (33.3%) from three, and 5-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line. Tyrese Martin and James Bouknight were the key offensive contributors for UConn in the first half. 

At the 19:34 mark, Duke got the second half started with a basket from three-point territory. The Friars struggled offensively to start the half and the Huskies went on a 7-0 run. UConn led 44-34 with 15:52 left to play. 

UConn continued to lead, making 7-9 of its last field goals. The Friars trailed by 18 with 9:19 minutes remaining. Reeves and Ed Croswell  made consecutive baskets in the paint to cut the deficit. The score was 63-49 with 7:57 to play. UConn controlled the final minutes of the game.

Providence finished 21-58 (36.2%)from the field, 4-12 (33.3%) from three, and 15-20 (75.0%) from the free throw line. UConn finished 29-62 (46.8%) from the field, 5-12 (41.7%) from three, and 10-14 (51.9%) from the free throw line. James Bouknight and Tyrese Martin each registered a game-high 18 points for the Huskies.

The Friars finished with two players in double-figures, in Breed and Duke. The Huskies out rebounded the Friars by 10. The Huskies also led for all but 1:49 minutes in the game.

 

NEXT UP: The Friars take on the Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday, February 24 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. The game is set for tip-off at 9 p.m. and is televised on FS1. 

 

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