Providence Friars 85 (14-6)

Creighton Bluejays 71 (15-5)

The Friars won their fourth game in a row and avenged an early season loss to Creighton by handily beating the Bluejays at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center with a strong second half.  Creighton was beating the Friars early in the 2nd half until Alpha Diallo decided that he had other plans.

In front of a sold out crowd, the Friars used that energy to outscore the Bluejays by 11 points in the 2nd frame behind a career-high 21 points from Sophomore Diallo.

Creighton continued to be struck by bad luck and by the injury bug following last season’s loss os star Maurice Watson, Jr., with the loss of forward Martin Krampelj for the season with a torn ACL.  Creighton led for a grand total of 18 seconds in the game, which is all you really need to know about how the game went for the Friars.

Game Notes:

• Let’s start it with Alpha’s career night.  Diallo scored a career-high 21 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, making it his third double-double of the season.
• His best move of the night came on this slick blow by and slam…of course it was of the two-handed variety.

SEND IT THROUGH young man.@PCFriarsmbb goes hard to the rim. pic.twitter.com/k3vr62oBn8

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 20, 2018

• Kyron Cartwright followed up a double-double against Butler with a 20 point and 7 assist night against Creighton.  Cartwright was a perfect 8-8 from the line and an efficient 6-10 from the field.
• Here’s a look at how much more work Kyron has left to do in order to reach Ernie D in the number 2 spot in all-time assists for Providence.

  1. Vincent Council – 725

  2. Ernie DiGregorio – 662

  3. Kyron Cartwright – 572

  4. Kris Dunn – 552

  5. Billy Donovan – 546

  6. Carlton Screen – 532

  7. Ricky Tucker – 520

  8. Bob Misevicius – 490

  T-9. Erik Murdock – 487

  T-9. Vin Ernst – 487

• A Friars game wouldn’t be complete without a spin cycle from The Train Conductor now would it?

Kyron Cartwright goes into the spin cycle 🌀 and finishes a mid range jumper to put the Friars up 4 #gofriars pic.twitter.com/mGBDO5b3j5

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) January 20, 2018

• Kalif Young followed up an 8 point/8 rebound game against Butler with another really good performance.  In just 12 minutes of action, Young was able to notch 8 points on 4-5 shooting from the floor (including two jumpers mind you) and grab 5 boards.  Now, THAT is making your presence felt when you’re on the floor.
• The other Friar in double-figures was Rodney Bullock with 10 points.  Bullock was only 2-8 from the floor however, but was able to get to the line a little bit, going 5-6 from the stripe and grabbing 6 rebounds.  You can always count on some good rebounding from Rodney, even when his offense may not be there.
• This marked Bullock’s 17th game in a row scoring in double figures.
• Jalen Lindsey went 3-6 from distance for 9 points, including this incredibly sexy three in transition from Kyron.

Touchdown! Kyron’s long assist to Jalen is our @WrightsFarmRI Dish of the Game. #GoFriars pic.twitter.com/8LAjPmTWr0

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) January 21, 2018

• Lindsey has now made a 3-point basket in 46 straight games, 37 of those with multiple made threes.  Here’s a breakdown of made threes over the streak from Jalen.
  • 1 made three – 10 games
  • 2 made threes – 13 games
  • 3 made threes – 12 games
  • 4 made threes – 10 games
  • 6 made threes – 1 game
• Just to show that Jalen isn’t just threes only, here’s a nice block by the Senior.  Good defense leading to good offense.

They are on a 10-0 RUN.

Defense leads to offense for @PCFriarsmbb. pic.twitter.com/4EIIJxNNhZ

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 20, 2018

• Nate Watson was hit with one of the more ridiculous flagrant fouls I’ve seen in a while.
• Maliek White made his first appearance in a game for the Friars after sitting out the previous 10 games with a bum knee.  White scored almost immediately upon entering the game, showing once again why he is instant offense…just add water.
• Isaiah Jackson continued to be great off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in 18 minutes off the pine, just barely missing out on a double-double.
• Over the last 5 games, Jackson is averaging 14.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg.
• The Friars shot 17-18 from the free throw line, good for 94.4%.  Shooting well from the line gets you a comfortable win rather than a nail biter.
• The Friars shot 53.4% from the field and held Creighton to 39.4% shooting.
• Before the game, good buddies Coach Cooley and Coach McDermott met up with Tony Romo who was in town before the Patriots playoff game.

• Now for the post-win pic.

• Everyone holding the 4s for the 4 wins in a row.  I’m going to have to go Maliek based on the fact that he’s got three 4s up and this was his first game back.  Welcome back you gun.

Next Up, the Friars travel to the #1 team in the country’s homecourt, playing Villanova for a 6:30 PM tip on Monday.