Dunn’s Triple-Double Leads Friars to Victory

January 29, 2015 6:52 pm

PC Release…

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence College men’s basketball downed DePaul, 83-72, on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The Friars improved to 16-5 (6-2 BIG EAST), while DePaul dropped to 11-11 (5-4 BIG EAST). The game was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday at 9 p.m. but due to a severe winter storm it was rescheduled to today at 2 p.m.

Sophomore guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. For the game, Dunn had a game and career high in scoring and rebounding and a game high assists. Dunn was the first Friar to record a triple-double since Geoff McDermott accomplished the feat versus Harvard on Dec. 22, 2006 with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Dunn’s triple-double was the ninth in Friar history and the first for the Friars in BIG EAST play. The last triple-double in BIG EAST play was recorded by Hasheem Thabeet (UConn) versus Providence on Jan. 19, 2008 with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

Providence led for the majority of the first half and held an 18-point lead to end the half, 41-23. Dunn led all in points with 10, rebounds with nine and assists with seven at the end of the half. Dunn was followed by LaDontae Henton (Lansing, Mich.) who scored six points and four rebounds. The largest lead of the first half came from the Friars with a 21 point lead, 39-18, with 1:53 left in the half.

In the second half, the Friars dominated the Blue Demons without any lead changes or ties in the second half. DePaul’s best chance came with 4:06 left when it reduced the Friars’ 11 point lead to eight points after a layup and free throw by Tommy Hamilton. However, Dunn nailed one of this three three pointers to boost the lead back to 11 and seal the victory for the Friars.

Four other Friars scored in double figures. Henton had 12 points, while junior Tyler Harris (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and freshman Kyron Cartwright (Compton, Calif.) each had 11 points and freshman Ben Bentil (Wilmington, Del.) added 10 points.

The Friars shot 52.9 percent for the game (27-51) and dominated on the glass, outrebounding DePaul, 39-19.

DePaul was led by Hamilton with 22 points and three rebounds and he was followed by Billy Garrett with 16 points and two rebounds.

Providence will return to action on Saturday, January 31 versus St. John’s at Madison Square Garden in New York. The game will be televised live at noon on Fox.