Bentil’s Return, Edwards’ Strong Shooting Pushes Undermanned PC Past Bryant

Providence College Press Release

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The No. 15/18 Providence College men’s basketball team defeated Bryant, 74-67, on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.  The Friars improved to 10-1, while the Bulldogs moved to 2-9.  The Friars, playing without star guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.), who missed the game due to illness, got a game-high 17 points from freshman guard Drew Edwards (Perry Hall, Md.) off the bench.

In addition to Edwards, three other Friars scored in double-digits versus the Bulldogs.  Sophomore Rodney Bullock (Hampton, Va.) recorded his second double-double on the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds.  Edwards scored all of his 17 points in the second half going 6-of-10 from the field, five of which were three-point shots.  Also, Edwards registered five steals and three assists.  Sophomore Ben Bentil (Wilmington, Del.), who was nursing an injured ankle, came off the bench to score 16 points and grab eight rebounds in 25 minutes of action.  Sophomore Jalen Lindsey (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) registered 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

The Friars trailed for the entire first half, with the Bulldogs largest lead of 11 points coming at the 10:03 mark, 23-12.  With 5:15 left in the half, Bentil subbed in for his first action of the game with the Friars trailing by nine points.  Over the next four minutes,  Providence cut Bryant’s lead to one, 29-28, with 42 seconds left in the first half. The Bulldogs nailed a three at the buzzer just before the half to enter the lockerroom with a 32-28 lead.  Bullock scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead PC in the first half.

Bryant’s Hunter Ware led all in scoring in the first with 11 points and also recorded three rebounds and three steals. 

The Friars registered their first lead of the game at the 17:16 mark after a layup from Bulllock and a three-pointer from Lindsey, to make the game 33-30.

The game saw two ties after and three lead changes, but the Friars increased their lead to 12 at the 7:59 mark after going on a 10-point run.  For the game, Providence went 26-of-60 (43%) from the field, while Bryant went 27-of-61 (44%).  The Friars held the advantage in scoring off of time outs (24-13) and from the bench (33-3).

The Friars will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 19 when they host Rider at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center at 8:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Network/OSN.

-GO FRIARS-