5 Takeaways From PC's 60-59 Win Over Illinois
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From PC's 60-59 Win Over Illinois
"Wasn't great offense on either side but I thought both teams played extremely hard, we were fortunate to win, they had a few chances at the end but what I told our guys is a culture win," said Friars head coach Ed Cooley after the game.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTProvidence trailed 57-55 with four minutes to play and the Illini were threatening to go up by four when Kris Dunn came up with a blocked shot and then pushed the ball up the floor and got a layup to tie the game at 57 with 3:59 to play.
With the game tied at 59, Rodney Bullock knocked in one of two free throws to give the Friars a 60-59 lead with 43 seconds left. From that point on, PC dodged numerous attempts from Illinois to win the game in the final seconds.With the help of another Kris Dunn blocked shot, Providence escaped with a 60-59 win.
The Leaders
Ben Bentil led the Friars with 18 points on 12 rebounds to go along with three assists, three steals and two blocked shots.
Rodney Bullock followed up with 13 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field and pulled down six rebounds.
Next Up
The Friars return to action on Saturday, November 21st when they host in-state rival Brown University at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
5 Takeaways From PC's 60-59 Win Over Illinois
Rodney Bullock
For the second straight game, Rodney Bullock found himself in double-figures, netting 13 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field and pulling down six rebounds.
Bullock struggled to find rhythem most of the game due to foul trouble but through two games he has shown that he will be a factor.
Kris Dunn
Kris Dunn struggled for the majority of the game. Illinois focused in on taking him away, doubling him at times, and forcing other players to make shots.
However, Dunn was critical down the stretch on the defensive end, especially when PC swtiched from a zone defense to man-to-man.
Dunn had a critical blocked shot with four minutes left in the game and helped limit Illionis to only two points in the final six minutes.
Dunn's final stat line was ten points, eight rebounds, three assists, three turnovers and two steals.
Ben Bentil
With Kris Dunn being the focal point of the Illinois defense, PC needed someone else to step up and Ben Bentil provided that.
Bentil had 18 points and 12 rebounds, eight of which came on the offensive side of the ball. Bentil also had three assists, two blocks and three steals in 38 minutes of play.
38-13
The Friars got dominated in the bench points category, losing 38-13.
Kyron Cartwright led the Friars bench with 8 points on 3 of 9 shooting from the field, including 2 of 4 from the free throw line.
The rest of the Friars bench scored a total of five points.
Freshman Quadree Smith had two points while Jalen Lindsey made his return to the lineup and had three points on 1 of 4 shooting from the field.
Free Throws
Providence went 8 of 18 from the free throw line and it nearly, very nearly cost them the game.
PC missed three free throws in the final 45 seconds and went 6 of 14 in the second half.
Overall, PC shot 44% from the free throw line.
