NEW: Cooley Taken to Hospital, PC Falls 78-69 at Xavier
GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: Cooley Taken to Hospital, PC Falls 78-69 at Xavier
See the five takeaways slideshow below.
The Friars led by six points, 40-34, at the half and were playing pretty well in a tough atmosphere on the road. However, in the second half things fell apart for Providence starting with head coach Ed Cooley leaving the game.
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Friars head coach Ed Cooley walked off the floor, followed by a trainer early in the second half, due to an apparent illness. Cooley was taken to a local hospital to be examined and did not return to the sidelines.
Fox Sports reported at halftime of the Georgetown - Villanova game that Cooley was experiencing breathing issues, but no official word has been given on Ed Cooley's status.
Cooley did not travel home with the team.
2nd Half struggle.
The Friars extended their lead to 42-34 early in the half, but from that point on Xavier went on a 18-2 run to take a 52-44 lead. The Friars battled back and managed to get the game tied at 62, and then again at 64, but Xavier was able to answer. With the game tied at 64, the musketeers went on a 10-0 run to go up 74-64 and put the game away.
PC would not get closer then five points the rest of the way.
Must wins at home.
After a three game road trip in which the Friars went 1-2, PC returns home on Wednesday night when they host #7 Villanova at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
Providence then hosts Seton Hall on Saturday, January 14.
For a further look at the Friars loss, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
Five Takeaways From the Friars 78-69 Loss to Xavier
Tyler Harris
Tyler Harris played only seven minutes in the game and had no points on only one shot taken.
All reports say he was healthy so it is very strange that he played so little, even though his play has been inconsistent for the Friars this season.
Providence could have used his scoring off the bench because they got smoked, 53-14 in bench points.
LaDontae Henton
LaDontae Henton led the Friars with 24 points in the game and pulled down nine rebounds.
However, Henton did not shoot well, only knocking down nine of his 21 shots from the floor, including 2-of-7 from three-point land.
In the last three games, Henton has gone 2-of-14, 4-of-11 and 9-of-21.
It was reported in the Georgetown game that Henton is playing a bit banged up, not 100 % and you have to believe that is part of the reason why he has not shot the ball well over the last few games.
Transition defense
There were numerous times throughout the game where the Friars were beat down the floor and Xavier was able to get wide open shots and easy baskets. Providence did not hustle back on defense after made baskets, missed baskets and even free throws, which is inexcusable.
One instance came in the second half off a Paschal Chukwu made free throw. Xavier took the ball out of bounds and still managed to beat PC up the floor.
Xavier is one of the highest scoring teams in the Big East, they certainly didn't need any help.
Cooley leaves game
Friars head coach Ed Cooley left the game early in the second half due to sickness.
Cooley had to be taken to a local hospital to be examined and did not return to the game.
It is unknown exactly what was wrong, though Fox Sports reported at halftime of the Villanova/ Georgetown game that Cooley was experiencing breathing issues.
Ed Cooley did not travel home with the team.
Couldn't solve the zone
In the last game against Xavier, the Friars had a major issue solving the Musketeers zone defense and Xavier managed to get the game to overtime because of it.
In this game, the Xavier zone defense won it for them as PC really struggled to score, going without a field goal for the first six minutes of the second half. Meanwhile, the Musketeers ripped off a 18-2 run to go up 52-44 in the game.
PC was outscored 44-29 in the second half en route to their fourth conference loss of the season.
