PC Falls To BC In NIT To End Season

Providence College Press Release

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College men’s basketball team (21-14, 10-10 BIG EAST) was defeated by Boston College (20-15, 8-12 ACC), 62-57, in the First Round of the 2024 National Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, March 19 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. Sophomore Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) led the way for the Friars with a career and game-high 21 points, nailing a career-high five three-pointers in the game.

FIRST HALF: 

• At the 17:44 mark, Pierre finished at the rim to give the Friars their first points.
• The Friars went on a 7-0 run to take an early lead, 11-8, with 13 minutes left in the half.
• With 11:43 left, Pierre knocked down the first three-pointer by either team. On the ensuing possession, Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) forced a turnover and dunked it in transition. PC led 16-12.
• Boston College made their first three-pointer at the 8:48 mark after missing their first four attempts from beyond the arc. The Eagles had a one-point advantage, 19-18.
• Pierre and Corey Floyd, Jr. (Franklin, N.J.) found a rhythm from three-point range as the first half progressed. The Friars gained a 26-22 lead with 6:23 until halftime.
• Boston College notched a one-point lead right before the halftime buzzer, 31-30.

SECOND HALF: 

• Pierre buried a three-ball to open the second half for the Friars. At the first media timeout, the game was knotted at 35.
• With just under 14 minutes remaining, Pierre and BC’s Claudell Harris, Jr. traded triples. Pierre remained the primary source of offense for the Friars. The score was even at 40.
• The Friars endured a four-minute scoring drought midway through the half. BC also struggled on offense, missing seven of eight shots before the final eight minutes.
• Providence trailed by one with four minutes remaining. The Friars had missed six of their last seven shots and were struggling to find a spark on offense.
• Pierre continued his hot streak from deep, tying up the game at 55 with his fifth three-pointer at the 2:39 mark.
• With 0:52 left to play, the Eagles knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer. BC forced a turnover on the ensuing possession and scored to seal the game.

NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Providence finished 21-52 (40.2%) from the field, 6-24 (25.0%) from three and 9-10 (90.0%) from the free throw line.
• Boston College finished 24-58 (41.4%) from the field, 5-13 (38.5%) from three and 9-12 (75.0%) from the free throw line.
• Gaines finished with a game-high three blocks.
• Floyd played all 40 minutes in the game.
• BC controlled the rebound battle by a margin of 35-31.
• PC has posted a 32-22 mark all-time in the NIT. PC captured the NIT title in 1961 and 1963.
• The Friars made their 21st appearance in the NIT and first since 2019.
• The Friars have posted a 1-1 mark versus Boston College in the NIT with the previous meeting being a 75-58 win by the Providence over BC on 3/24/93.
• The Friars are 62-52 all-time against Boston College, including 39-17 at home.
• The last time the Friars and the Eagles met, PC earned a 100-95 win in overtime at BC on 12/4/18.