PC Looks Inconsistent in Painful 88-71 Loss to Alabama

PC Looks Inconsistent in Painful 88-71 Loss to Alabama

Not much went right in North Carolina for Providence College.

The PC Friars went 1-2 at the Maui Invitational.  

In game number one Indiana ran the Friars off the court. Then, a nail-biting win over Davidson. And, game three a disappointing loss against the University of Alabama, 88-71, on Wednesday.

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The Friars finished the tournament in sixth place. The Friars fall to 2-2 overall. David Duke scored a team-high 19 points. 

Nate Watson got the game started for the Friars by converting on an and-one at the 19:34 mark. Greg Gantt knocked down the first Friars three-pointer with 17:38 left in the half. The Friars led 8-0 and forced a turnover on the ensuing defensive possession. 

But from there on, the Crimson rolled.

Entering the first media timeout of the game, the Friars led 8-7. The Crimson Tide had gone on a quick 7-0 run in just above one minute. At the 14:45 mark, Duke made a three-point basket to tie the game at 11. The shot broke a scoring drought for the Friars.

At the 11:34 media timeout, the Friars trailed 17-11. Providence had made only one of their last nine shots and had not scored in over three minutes. Alabama had made six of their last eight. 

With 6:00 remaining in the half, the Friars faced a double-digit deficit. The Friars continued to struggle from the field, making only two of their previous 11 shots. Alabama led 30-20. By the final media timeout before halftime, the Crimson Tide maintained their lead, 37-28. 

Alabama led at halftime, 41-32. Providence shot 9-26 (34.6%) from the field, 2-13 (15.4%) from three, and 12-15 (80.0%) from the free throw line. Alabama shot 13-32 (40.6%) from the field, 4-17 (23.5%) from three, and 11-12 (91.7%) from the free throw line. 

A.J. Reeves made a three-pointer and jumper to open the second half in scoring for the Friars. The two teams traded several baskets leading up to the 15:13 media timeout. The score was 56-45. 

With 12:45 remaining, the Friars took a timeout following three consecutive possessions with three-pointers for Alabama. The Crimson Tide were in control of the game, holding a 16-point lead. 

Ed Croswell got a steal and on back-to-back defensive possessions. Croswell capitalized on the offensive end of the floor each time. Heading into the 7:47 media timeout, the Friars trailed 74-56. 

At the 5:51 mark, Alyn Breed knocked down a corner three-pointer to cap off a 12-0 run for the Friars. Breed registered nine points and three rebounds off the bench. The Friars narrowed the gap to 11, as Alabama led 74-63. The Crimson Tide kept control of the game in the final minutes. 

Providence finished 23-55 (41.8%) from the field, 5-23 (21.7%) from three, and 20-27 (74.1%) from the free throw line. Alabama finished 29-62 (46.8%) from the field, 12-29 (41.4%) from three, and 18-23 (78.3%) from the free throw line. John Petty, Jr., Joshua Primo, and Jaden Shackelford combined for 46 points for the Crimson Tide. 

Up Next: Providence will return home to take on the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Alumni Hall at Providence College. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. and will be televised on FS2.