NEW: #12 Providence Comes Back to Beat #9 Butler 81-73
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: #12 Providence Comes Back to Beat #9 Butler 81-73
PC is also off to their best start since the 1988-89 season in which they started 12-0.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter leading 67-59, the Friars saw their lead cut to just one point, 67-66, with just over four minutes to go in the game. On the very next possession, Rodney Bullock would knock down a three-pointer to give PC a four point cushion at 70-66.
Ben Bentil would add two free throws to put the Friars up 72-66 with just three minutes left in the game.
Butler would get within three, 74-71, with 1:38 to play in the game, however, Ben Bentil knocked down a corner jump shot to give the Friars a 5 point cushion again.
Providence would knock down their free throws and Butler would only score two points the rest of the way.
The Come Back
After trailing by 9, 36-25, at the half, Providence opened the second half on a 19-7 run to take a 44-43 lead sparked by three-pointers from Drew Edwards and Rodney Bullock.
Butler ended the first half on a 23-6 run to take their 9 point lead at the half. The Friars also trailed by 9 points a the half of last season''s game before coming back to win.
The Leaders
The Friars were led by Rodney Bullock who had a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
Kris Dunn finished the game with 20 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Only 4 of Dunn's 20 points came in the first half.
Next up
The Friars return to action on Saturday, January 2 when they host St. John's at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tip off is set for 3:30 p.m.
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
5 Takeaways From #12 PC's 81-73 Win Over #9 Butler
Ben Bentil
Ben Bentil finished the game with 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting from the field and 4 of 4 from the free throw line.
Bentil also grabbed 5 rebounds and recorded two blocked shots in the game.
Bentil was named Big East Player of the week earlier this week.
Kris Dunn
After only scoring 4 points and picking up two fouls in the first half, Kris Dunn finished with 20 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field to go along with 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals.
Dunn has reached double-figures in ever game for the Friars this season except the Boston College game in which he only played the first half due to illness.
HOT HOT HOT
The Friars head into 2016 with a 13-1 record, their best start since 1988-89, a 7 game winning streak and two wins over top 15 teams, and a national ranking of 12th best in the country.
Providence hosts St. John's on Saturday afternoon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center and then hosts Marquette on Tuesday.
Drew Edwards
For the second game this season, freshman Drew Edwards gave Providence a spark off the bench in the second half.
Edwards hit two three-pointers in the second half to get the Friars on the come back trail, similar to what he did a couple of games ago against Bryant.
In total, Edwards had 10 points, all in the second half, on 3 of 4 shooting from the field including 2 of 2 from three-point land in 16 minutes of action. Edwards also grabbed five rebounds.
Rodney Bullock
Rodney Bullock led the Friars with a career high 25 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the field, including 6 of 9 from three-point land.
Four of Bullock's three-pointers came in the second half to help the Friars rally from a 9 point half time deficit.
Bullock has reached double figures scoring in four of PC's last five games and averages 14 points per game on the season.
Bullock also pulled down 10 rebounds for his third double-double in PC's last 4 games.
