PC Finishes Non-Conference with Win Over CCSU 68-53, Next Up Hurley and the Huskies

The Providence College men's basketball team defeated Central Connecticut State University, 68-53, on Saturday at the Dunk.

With the win, the Friars finish their non-conference schedule with a 10-1 overall record.

The Friars play #15 University of Connecticut Huskies next Saturday at UConn. UConn is coached by Dan Hurley.

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For the Friars, senior A.J. Reeves was the main contributor, recording 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Graduate student Noah Horchler had a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds. Graduate student Justin Minaya scored 14 points on a perfect 6-6 from the field. 

 

GAME STORY

FIRST HALF:

Minaya scored the first two baskets for the Friars. Reeves had the team's first three-point basket.
PC jumped out to an early 12-0 lead to start the game. 
The Blue Devils scored their first basket at the 15:31 mark. 
With 11:50 left in the half, Al Durham (Lilburn, Ga.) forced a turnover and finished on the fastbreak. The Friars held a 22-4 lead.
At the 9:46 mark, Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) got into the scoring column. The score was 26-6. 
The Friars led 36-14 at the final media timeout of the half.
With 3:28 left in the half, Minaya found Watson for the dunk off the alley-oop pass.
Minaya buried a three-pointer from the right corner in the closing seconds of the first half. Reeves assisted on the play. 
Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) and Minaya each reached double figures before halftime for the Friars.
The Friars led 44-25 at halftime. 
Providence shot 18-36 (50.0%) from the field, 4-14 (28.6%) from three, and 4-9 (44.4%) from the free throw line. 
Central Connecticut State shot 8-30 (26.7%) from the field, 3-13 (23.1%) from three, and 6-9 (66.7%) from the free throw line. 

 

SECOND HALF:

Reeves found a clear path to the basket and threw down a one-handed dunk to start the second half. On the next possession, Reeves made a three-pointer from the left wing.  
The Friars held a 61-33 lead at the 11:58 media timeout.
The Friars hit a cold streak offensively as the second half progressed. At the four-minute mark the Friars had missed 15 of their last 16 attempts. The Blue Devils were on a 12-2 scoring run. 
With 3:56 remaining, Reeves knocked down his third three-point basket of the game to extend the lead to 22 points, 68-46. 
The Blue Devils finished the game on a 7-0 scoring run. 

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Providence finished 28-65 (43.1%) from the field, 6-26 (23.1%) from three, and 6-11 (54.5%) from the free throw line. 
Central Connecticut State finished 18-64 (28.1%) from the field, 7-27 (25.9%) from three, and 10-20 (50.0%) from the free throw line. 
Three players finished in double-figures for the Friars, in Horchler, Minaya, and Reeves. 
Tre Mitchell led the way for the Blue Devils with a team-high 15 points. Nigel Scantlebury finished with 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils. 
The Friars now hold a 57-12 all-time record versus teams from the Northeast Conference.
Attendance – 5,111

 

NEXT GAME:

The Friars take on the #15 Connecticut Huskies for their first BIG EAST matchup of the season on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. on FOX. 

The Friars hold a 29-45 all-time record against UConn. The teams split the season series last year, with each team winning at home. 

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