#8 PC Upset by Marquette 65-64
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
#8 PC Upset by Marquette 65-64
"Yea, that wasn't a very good performance by us, I don't think I did a very good job with our group. I think we started the game bad and ended the game bad, they made some shots down the stretch, some tough shots. I don't think we were very disciplined when we tried to guard, fouled way too many times, buy you have to give them alot of credit, " PC head coach Ed Cooley said after the game.
Providence led 64-61 with 1:27 to play in the game before the Golden Eagles scored the next four points to take a 65-64 lead, capped off by a Duane Wilson layup, with 31 seconds to play.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Friars got the ball back with 31 seconds to play, calling a time out 24 seconds left, and a chance to win it however, they were unable to get any shot off.
"We didn't get the looks we wanted to get, we wanted a side ball screen that never developed, three guys were on Kris, we moved the ball and threw a bad pass. Pass is where it's supposed to be, we get a look at the basket, at least get a shot off, we didn't even get a shot attempt," said Ed Cooley after the game.
Providence led 58-50 with 6:33 left in the game but would not score another field goal until the three minute mark.
Slow Start
PC got off to a slow start in the game, one time trailing 22-10 with 8:30 left in the first half before cutting their deficit to 30-24 heading into the locker room.
PC shot 31 percent from the field and ten percent from three-point land in the opening half.
The Leaders
The Friars were led by Ben Bentil who poured in 28 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Kris Dunn poured in 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 7 assists but also had 7 turnovers.
Next up
The Friars return to action on Tuesday, January 12 when they visit Creighton. Tip off is set for 8:30 p.m.
5 Takeaways From #8 Providence's Loss to Marquette
Kris Dunn
Turnovers were costly in the game for Providence.
Kris Dunn had seven of the teams 16 turnovers, resulting in 18 points for Marquette.
Dunn finished the game with 20 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the field to go with seven assists, seven turnovers and five rebounds.
Dunn and Bentil were the only Friars to reach double figures in scoring.
Bench Points
The Friars were outscored 17-2 in bench points in the game.
The Friars 2 points came courtesy of Kyron Cartwright. In previous games, the bench has come in and given the team a spark but was unable to do it in this game.
Ryan Fazekas returned to the Friars after missing several weeks with mono. Fazekas came off the bench, only played five minutes and was 0 for 4 from three-point land.
"I tried to get Ryan in the game a few times, I thought he had a couple of good looks, they just didn't go down," Cooley said after the game.
Things will get better with Fazekas as he gets back in game shape.
Ben Bentil
Ben Bentil led the Friars with 28 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field and 10 of 10 from the free throw line.
Bentil also grabbed 9 rebounds, 5 of which came on the offensive end, and recorded 2 blocked shots in the game.
PC had 13 offensive rebounds compared to just two for Marquette.
Slow Starts
Providence needs to get off to better starts.
Against Butler, PC trailed by 9 at the half and needed a come back to win. Against St. John's, the Friars trailed 18-12 early in the game before going on a 10-0 run to give them the lead and against Marquette PC trailed 22-10 at one point in the first half and barely got over the 20 point mark before the half time buzzer.
"I got to do a better job of getting our guys ready out of the gate, the guys knew what we wanted to do, I thought we gained control of the game 58-50 with the ball. We've had back to back games, 17 turnovers, 16 turnovers so we are careless with the ball, not valuing the ball," said Ed Cooley after the game.
Last Possession
Trailing 65-64, Providence took over possession with 31 seconds to play in the game, calling a time out with 24 left.
The Friars decided to hold the ball for the last shot and did not get a shot off and nearly turned the ball over several times.
"We didn't get the looks we wanted to get, we wanted a side ball screen that never developed, three guys were on Kris, we moved the ball and threw a bad pass. Pass is where it's supposed to be, we get a look at the basket, at least get a shot off, we didn't even get a shot attempt," said Ed Cooley after the game.
