Providence Friars (5-5) 61

Rhode Island Rams (6-3) 75

The Friars fell for the second time in the last three years and has all but handed over the momentum in the rivalry, despite dominating the decade up until this point.  Fatts Russell continued to show why he’ll be a headache for Providence until he leaves the Rams, tallying a 24 points and 8 assists and seemingly delivering every chance Rhode Island needed a big play.

He didn’t win the game himself though, as Senior big man Cyril Langevine provided the inside presence for URI, dominating down low to the tune of 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Without Nate Watson being ready to play his full level of minutes, the Friars were not able to stop Langevine in any way or form.

Although PC was able to claw their way back to a two-point game with just under 7 minutes to play, they weren’t able to make the winning plays when the game was on the line.

Game Notes:

• The Friars two leading scorers, Alpha Diallo and David Duke, scored just 13 points and 12 points respectively.  However, they combined to go 9-26 to got those 25 total points and turned the ball over an ungodly 11 times with just 4 assists between them.
• Luwane Pipkins was a complete zero in this game.  Pipkins didn’t hit a field goal in 17 minutes of playing time, shooting 0-5 from the floor, including 0-4 from three.  He also turned the ball over more times than he handed out assists (3 to 2).  Cooley looks like he may have shortened the leash on Pip until he is able to prove himself reliable once again.
• Nate Watson was the third Friar to finish in double-figures (10), shooting efficiently 5-8 from the floor, grabbing 6 boards, and swatting 3 shots in all of 16 minutes of action.
• Kalif Young was active as always and was able to finish the game with 9 points and a team-high 9 rebounds.
• Greg Gantt continued to play well in limited minutes and at this point, I think he deserves a longer look on the floor.
• A.J. Reeves was unable to find his stroke, shooting 2-9 from the field and was unable to connect from distance.  He did look good in warmups though.

A.J. Reeves throwing it down in warm-ups #Friars #pcbb pic.twitter.com/FZAwPFpZtY

— Matt St. Jean (@mattstdream) December 6, 2019

• The Friars coughed the ball up a season-high 22 times and assists on only 14 of their 25 buckets.  Those stats are usually flip-flopped where the Friars’ assists outweigh their turnovers, but not today.
• Providence shot just 50% from the free throw line.

Next Up, Providence mercifully returns home to take on a visiting Stony Brook team at The Dunk.