PC Offense Struggles In Loss at Villanova Sunday

Nick Coit,

Providence College Press Release

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College men’s basketball team was defeated by the Villanova Wildcats (12-10, 5-6 BIG EAST), 68-50, on Sunday, Feb. 4 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. The Friars fell to 14-8 overall and 5-6 in BIG EAST play. Josh Oduro led the way with his third double-double of the season on 18 points and 12 rebounds. Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) tacked on 17 points, five rebounds and four assists: shooting 5-9 from the field, 5-8 from three and 2-2 from the line.

“We will watch it [tape], we’ll get better.” Head Coach Kim English said. “We’ll watch it tomorrow to make improvements before Creighton on Wednesday.”

FIRST HALF:

•The game remained scoreless for the first 2:30. Villanova opened the scoring with a layup, and in the subsequent possession, the Friars countered with a layup from Josh Oduro (Gainesville, Va.). At the 16:20 mark, Oduro’s two free-throws gave Providence its first lead of the game, with the Friars leading 4-2.

•At the 14:39 mark, Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) ended an approximately three-minute field goal drought for both teams with a put-back bucket, putting the Friars ahead, 6-3.

•Villanova answered with an 8-0 surge, the last six points coming from back-to-back threes to regain the lead and force a PC timeout. With 10:24 left in the half, the Friars trailed, 11-6.

• The Friars endured a 2:09 scoring drought, shooting 1-11 from the field. By the under-8 media timeout (7:31 mark), the Friars trailed, 14-9.

• Providence failed to score a field goal in the last six minutes of the half. Entering the locker room, the Wildcats had extended their lead to 10, the largest of the game, 26-16.

•This marked the lowest scoring and field goal shooting percentage in a half for the Friars this season.

• The Friars registered nine turnovers in the first half.

•Providence shot 4-24 (16.7%) from the field, 2-16 (12.5%) from three, and 6-6 (100.0%) from the free-throw line.

•Villanova shot 10-32 (31.3%) from the field, 4-13 (30.8%) from three, and 2-4 (50.0%) from the free-throw line.

 

SECOND HALF:

•The Friars were outscored 8-0 during the first 4:02 minutes of the game, shooting 0-5. At the first media timeout (15:58 mark) the Friars trailed, 36-16.

•Carter ended the almost 10-minute scoring drought and opened the Friars’ scoring of the half with a pull-up three from deep. Carter followed with another three to close the gap, 41-22.

•Oduro became the first Friar to enter the double-digit scoring column following two free-throws. Eight of his 10 points were free-throw attempts.

•Providence endured a 6-2 scoring drive coming out of the 8-under timeout. Oduro sunk a driving layup to force a Wildcat timeout (5:26 mark). Friars trailed, 58-40.

•The Friars were unable to close the game for the remainder of the match. At the final whistle, the Friars trailed, 68-50.

 

NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS: 

•Providence finished 15-51 (29.4%) from the field, 7-33 (21.2%) from three and a season-high 13-13 (100.0%) from the free throw line.

•Villanova finished 27-64 (42.2%) from the field, 10-28 (35.7%) from three and 4-8 (50.0%) from the free throw line.

•Three Friars finished in double figures: Oduro (18), Carter (17) and Gaines (10).

•With 18 points and 12 rebounds, Oduro registered his third double-double of the season.

•Oduro shot a season-high 10-10 from the free-throw line.

•Eric Dixon led the way for Villanova with 12 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3P, 1-2 FT).

 

WHAT’S NEXT: 

•The Friars are back home at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I., to play against the No. 13/13 Creighton Bluejays (16-6, 7-4 BIG EAST) on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on FS2.

•Providence holds a 19-15 all-time advantage against Creighton, and an 11-4 edge at home. Earlier this season, the then-ranked No. 23/23 Friars were defeated, 69-60, by the Bluejays (Jan. 6).

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