Two-Time Defending National Champion Huskies Spoil PC’s Senior Day

The Providence College men’s basketball team was defeated by the Connecticut Huskies (20-9, 12-6 BIG EAST), 75-63, on Saturday, March 1 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. The Friars fell to 12-17 overall and 6-12 in BIG EAST play. Junior Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) led the scoring for Providence, finishing with 10 points. Justyn Fernandez (Richmond, Va.) anchored the team with five rebounds.

“Tough game, tough ending,” Head Coach Kim English said. “Our guys are fighting and we will keep practicing hard to finish out the regular season next week.”

FIRST HALF:

Oswin Erhunmwunse (Benin City, Nigeria) opened the game’s scoring with a buzzer-beating and-one. The Friars held the Huskies scoreless by forcing two turnovers through the first 1:30 of regulation.

The Huskies gained traction as the two teams began to exchange baskets through the first 10 minutes. The Friars led 18-17 at the 10:42 mark.

The half remained tightly contested as the teams headed into the final media timeout (3:34). Friars trailed by four, 32-28.

Connecticut surged ahead in the final few minutes, capping off a 6-8 effort from the field. The Friars trailed 41-33 at half.

UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. Scored 15 of the Huskies’ 41 first-half points, finishing 7-8 from the field.

SECOND HALF:

Wesley Cardet Jr. (Tallahassee, Fla.) kicked off the second-half scoring for PC with a reverse layup.

The Huskies kept the momentum, as they extended their lead to 51-38 entering the first media timeout (14:38).

The Friars came alive halfway through the half, bringing the score within eight (56-48). Freshman Ryan Mela (Natick, Mass.) capped off his sixth second-half point with an alley-oop dunk (10:34).

UConn found stride with eight unanswered points over a two-minute span. Providence trailed 72-56 at the final media timeout (3:51).

The Friars failed to score in the final 3:27, falling 75-63.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Pierre finished in double figures with 10 points for Providence.

• Connecticut’s Tarris Reed Jr. Finished with a game-high 24 points and 18 rebounds.

• The Friars outscored the Huskies in bench points (26-24) and fast-break points (5-4).

• Seniors Luke Fonts (Portsmouth, R.I.) and Kieran O’Haire (Menands, N.Y.) scored their first collegiate points for the Friars in the final minute of the game. Fonts converted one free-throw and O’Haire finished a layup.

NOTES:

• Today’s senior day celebration honored the six graduating players: Kieran O’Haire, Luke Fonts, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Wesley Cardet, Bensley Joseph and Bryce Hopkins.

• The Friars have now registered a 31-51 mark all-time versus UConn.

UP NEXT:

• The Friars will play their final home game of the regular season at the AMP on Wednesday, March 5, against the DePaul Blue Demons (11-18, 2-16 BIG EAST).

• Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.

-GO FRIARS!-