Dunn Returns as #10 Providence Rolls UMass 90-66
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
Dunn Returns as #10 Providence Rolls UMass 90-66
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below.
The Friars led 8-5 with just under 16 minutes to play in the first half before a Ben Bentil three-pointer and a Kris Dunn layup helped spark them to a 10-3 run to go up 18-8 with 11 minutes to play in the half.
The Friars would control the entire first half and take a 45-33 lead into the locker room at half time.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn the second half, UMass would not get closer than 12 points as PC would build a 25 point lead, 75-50, with 9 minutes left and cruise to the victory.
The Leaders
Ben Bentil led the Providence with a career high 32 points on 11 of 16 shooting from the field while also pulling down 12 rebounds.
Kris Dunn, in his return, netted 14 points and dished out 11 assists while also pulling down six rebounds.
Conference Play Begins
Next up, the Friars kick off Big East conference play on New Year's Eve when they visit #9 Butler at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
5 Takeaways From #10 Providence's Win Over UMass
Jalen Lindsey
Over the last two games, Lindsey has been very effective in halfs. First half he would not be a factor but then in the second half he would light it up or vice versa.
In this game, Lindsey put it all together, knocking down three-pointers early in the game to help PC build a lead and then still being a factor in the second half.
Lindsey finished with 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field, including 3 of 7 from three-point land. Lindsey also pulled down eight rebounds.
With Fazekas out with Mono, Lindsey's shooting is going to be essential when conference play begins.
Fast Break
Providence recorded 14 fast break points in the game, a lot of those coming off of a Kris Dunn defensive rebound and then him leading the fast break.
With Big East play coming up next, PC is going to have to push the ball more and get some easy baskets and it appears they tested that strategy out against UMass.
UMass only had 2 fast break points.
Points in the Paint
Ed Cooley's Friars dominant in the paint against UMass, out scoring the Minutemen 46-22.
Providence shot nearly 50% from the field, including 43% from three-point land.
Working inside out helped open up a lot of options for PC in the game and also helped them get to the free throw line 18 times.
Ben Bentil
Ben Bentil is becoming almost as important to PC as Kris Dunn.
Bentil was dominant in this one posting a career high 32 points on 11 of 16 shooting from the field, including 3 of 5 from beyond the three-point arc.
Bentil also pulled down 12 rebounds, 5 of which came on the offensive end.
Kris Dunn
After missing the last two games with a stomach virus, Kris Dunn returned to the Friars line up and it looked like he did not miss a beat.
Dunn poured in 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field. Dunn also dished out 11 assists and pulled down 6 rebounds.
Dunn controlled the offense and the game by pushing the ball up the floor off of every missed shot and spreading the ball around.
