#15 Providence Edges Bryant 74-67
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
#15 Providence Edges Bryant 74-67
"This was a hard game today guys, everybody expects you to win this game by X amount of points, we played a desperate team today. You know Timmy does a really good job, yes they have had some tough games but I thought they played really well today and given how we started the game early, I was anxious, I thought my anxiety showed on the team and when I relaxed I thought they relaxed," said Friars head coach Ed Cooley after the game.
Bryant led by one, 34-33, with 16:53 to play in the game when Jalen Lindsey hit a jumper to put the Friars up 35-34 with 15:48 left to play in the game.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter a Rodney Bullock steal and a time out, freshman Drew Edwards knocked down a three-pointer to put the Friars up 38-34, that was Edwards first of five three-pointers in the half.
The Bulldogs got back to within two points, 47-45, however, the Friars would answer with a 12-2 run, capped off by a Ben Bentil layup to put Providence up 59-47 with eight minutes to play.
Bryant would not get closer than seven points the rest of the way.
"I thought it was definitely a step forward for my team today, be able to come out here and really compete," said Bryant Bulldogs head coach Tim O'Shea after the game.
The Leaders
Providence was led by freshman Drew Edwards who poured in a game high 17 points, all coming in the second half, including five three-pointers.
Ben Bentil followed up with 16 points in 25 minutes of play off the bench.
The Bulldogs were led by Dan Garvin who poured in 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds while Hunter Ware and Shane McLaughlin each netted 14 points.
Next up
Providence returns to action on Monday, December 19th when they host Rider. Tip off is set for 8 p.m.
The Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday, December 23rd when they visit Michigan. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
Story will be updated with slideshow shortly.
5 Takeaways From #15 Providence's Win Over Bryant
Marcel Pettway
North Providence's own Marcel Pettway fell one point short of a double-double for Bryant, posting 9 points on 4 of 8 shooting from the field, while also pulling down 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs in that category.
"He's been terrific for a freshman, we had Alex Francis, we knew right away as a freshman he was going to be a really good player, because right away he was rebounding and could score a little bit. Marcel is the same thing, the one thing I think is a little different than Alex is that he is not as athletic but he is a better passer and he is very poised. Everywhere we play he has played with great poise. I think he has a really nice future," said Bryant head coach Tim O'Shea.
Pettway has averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds for Bryant this season.
Dan Garvin
Dan Garvin led Bryant with 16 points on 7 of 13 shooting from the field while also grabbing nine rebounds in 33 minutes of action.
"Dan, he's always been a slow starter, and tonight, he really came out aggressive. You know if you just walked in the gym and watched him, he more than held his own. He got aggressive, he put it on the floor, he rebounded the ball, he played with confidence," said O'Shea after the game.
Garvin has averaged 10 points and 9 rebounds for Bryant this season.
Ben Bentil
Ben Bentil did not start the game for the Friars but checked into the game with just over five minutes to play, giving the building and Providence a spark.
Though Bentil played, that did not seem like it was the plan but with the Friars trailing 28-19, they needed a spark.
"We talked about it, said 'hey lets see how it goes, he was cleared to play on a limited basis. He looked at me and said 'lets give it a try, we are not playing well right now, we need a little leadership' so kudos to Ben. I thought when he came in the game, the whole thing changed," said Friars head coach Ed Cooley.
Bentil played 25 minutes and poured in 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field while also grabbing eight rebounds.
24-13
Providence forced Bryant into 18 turnovers, 12 of which came on steals, resulting in PC getting 24 points off of those turnovers.
Meanwhile, Bryant forced Providence into 10 turnovers, eight of which came on steals, but only scored 13 points off of them.
Drew Edwards
The Friars needed somebody to give them a spark on offense and freshman Drew Edwards did just that.
Edwards poured in 17 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point land all in the second half. Edwards had not made a three-pointer all season prior to this game.
"Obviously come guys stepped up, particularly Drew. We have been talking to Drew about needing to stay confident, shoot the ball when he is open, he still turned down about four or five shots we wanted him to take," Cooley said after the game.
Edwards added " I needed one to go in, that's all I needed. Those in a outs really hurt, they hit you hard but just needed one to go in and I started playing within the flow of the game.
