Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton Hand PC Second Straight Loss

The Providence College men’s basketball team was defeated by the Creighton Bluejays (17-6, 10-2 BIG EAST), 80-69, on Wednesday, February 5 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. The Friars moved to 11-12 overall and 5-7 in BIG EAST play. Redshirt junior Corey Floyd Jr. (Franklin, N.J.) recorded his first-ever double-double of the season on a team-high 16 points and a career-best 10 rebounds.

FIRST HALF:

Joseph Bensley (Arlington, Mass.) kicked off the night’s scoring with a three. Both teams were tied at six entering the first media timeout (15:47).

The two teams traded baskets for the majority of the half. With around six minutes remaining, the Friars had made their last four shots, while the Bluejays were a perfect six-for-six in their recent attempts.

Creighton capped off a seven-point surge spanning over two minutes. Eli DeLaurier (Shipman, Va.) snapped the Friars’ scoreless streak to bring PC within one at the final media timeout of the half (3:25). Friars trailed 32-31.

The two teams exchanged the lead twice in the final minute. Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) hit a three from deep to give Providence a 39-37 with 24 seconds in the half, prompting a CU timeout. Creighton drew a three-shot foul with two seconds left, allowing them to take a 40-39 lead at the half.

Pierre was the lone Friar to enter the double-digit scoring column in the first half with 10 points.

There were nine lead changes and five score ties in the first half alone.

SECOND HALF:

Rich Barron (Chicago, Ill.) began the team’s scoring with a reverse layup.

The Friars took a 54-52 lead with 13 minutes to go. The effort was highlighted by Floyd Jr.’s seventh second-half point.

Creighton regained the lead as the teams continued to play back-and-forth. The Friars trailed by one at 8-under timeout (7:18), 64-63.

The Bluejays kept the momentum as they extended their lead to double digits in the final minutes. The Friars fell, 80-69.

PC failed to score in the final 3:41 minutes of the game.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Three players finished in double figures for the Friars: Floyd Jr. (16), Pierre (14) and Barron (10).

The Friars held a 14-4 edge in bench points.

The Friars controlled the defensive rebound battle by a margin of one (30-29). Both teams registered 39 total rebounds.

Floyd Jr. recorded his first-ever double-double with 16 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. Nine of Floyd’s 16 points came in the second half.

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth combined for 58 of the Bluejay’s 80 points.

The game featured 11 lead changes and nine ties.

NOTES:

PC has now registered a 21-17 mark all-time versus Creighton, including a 12-5 record at home.

Tonight’s game was presented by Rhode Island Medical Imaging, marking the annual Pink Out Friartown game where fans were encouraged to wear Pink to support those fighting breast cancer.

UP NEXT:

The Friars will hit the road to take on the Butler Bulldogs (10-13, 3-9 BIG EAST) on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Indianapolis, Ind.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The game will air live on Peacock.