Three Point Shooting Lifts PC Past Villanova on Billy Donovan Night

The Providence College men’s basketball team defeated Villanova Wildcats (15-11, 8-7 BIG EAST), 75-62, on Saturday, February 15 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. The Friars improved to 12-14 overall and 6-9 in BIG EAST play. Junior Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) spearheaded the Friars’ offense with a game-high 19 points, tying his career-high five threes. Senior Bensley Joseph (Arlington, Mass.) aided the team with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. Freshman Ryan Mela (Natick, Mass.) scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added six assists. At halftime, the Friars honored former Friar great Billy Donovan ’87 by hanging his No. 34 in the rafters as part of the Friars Forever Program.

“Proud of our group,” Head Coach Kim English said. “Hard-fought game, we had our backs against the wall, but our team never stopped working. Our team’s effort and solid defense made the difference against one of the best offenses in the country.”

FIRST HALF:

• Pierre opened the scoring with a three. Joseph added a steal and layup in the subsequent possession. PC led 11-6 through the first four minutes of action (15:43).

• Providence started strong from behind the arc, shooting 6-9 from three with triples coming from six different players.

• With about five minutes remaining, Pierre drained a three-pointer to cap a 14-3 Friars run, forcing a VU timeout. PC led 31-17.

• Villanova struggled offensively late in the half, enduring a five-minute scoring drought and making only two of their final 14 shots.

• The Friars kept the advantage leading into halftime, 36-24.

• Pierre was the only player to score in double figures in the first half (11 pts).

• The Friars outscored VU in bench points by a margin of 8-0.

SECOND HALF:

• Joseph started the second-half scoring with a jumper.

• PC kept the momentum, holding the Wildcats scoreless through the first four minutes of second-half action. The Friars led 43-24 at the first media timeout (16:04).

• The Wildcats scored their first second-half basket in the 14th minute.

• The Friars continued to edge out the Wildcats for much of the half. PC held a 67-50 advantage entering the final media timeout (3:57).

• Providence finished seven of its last nine field goals to finish on top, 75-62.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Four players finished in double figures for the Friars: Pierre (19), Joseph (17), Mela (12) and Erhunmwmunse (10).

Villanova’s Wooga Poplar and Jordan Logino led Nova with 18 points each.

Pierre tied a career-high with five threes.

There were no lead changes in the game.

The Friars outscored the Wildcats in bench points (17-0), fast-break points (14-0), second-chance points (5-2), points in the paint (20-18) and points off turnovers (10-7).

VU finished 5-19 from three.

Ryan Mela (Natick, Mass.) set career highs in assists (six) and steals (three).

NOTES:

PC has now registered a 44-73 mark all-time versus Villanova, including a 27-24 record at home.

PC retired Bill Donovan’s No. 34 at halftime as part of the Friar Legends program.

UP NEXT:

The Friars will head to Washington, D.C. to play the Georgetown Hoyas (15-10, 6-8 BIG EAST) on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the Capital One Arena.

Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. on FS1.