PC Wins Opener 80-73 Over Fairfield

PC Wins Opener 80-73 Over Fairfield

 

The Providence College Friars returned to the Dunk and beat the Fairfield Stags Tuesday night 80-73.

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PC graduate Nate Watson led the Friars with 22 points, had 6 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Noah Horchler added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

And, Indiana transfer Aljami Durham scored 18 points in his first game for the Friars.

Watson's performance was a strong step to top national recognition. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Oct. 22, that Watson was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Preseason Watch list.  It marks the second honor this week for Watson, who was named to the 2021-22 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team on Tuesday

The Friars led at the half by just 7, 42-35, and could not shake the Stags -- both teams scored 38 points in the second half.

For PC head coach Ed Cooley, the game is bittersweet as Cooley coached at Fairfield prior to taking over the Friars' program.

 

GAME STORY:

FIRST HALF:

A.J. Reeves knocked down two free throws to get the Friars on the board first.

Fairfield had a quick 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Durham made a three-pointer to end the scoring drought for the Friars. Providence led 10-9.

At the 11:59 media timeout, Fairfield held a 17-16 lead.

With 10:01 left in the first half, Ed Croswell forced a steal and Reeves converted the layup in transition. The Friars regained the lead, 20-19. 

At the 6:19 mark, Alyn Breed stole the ball and finished at the other end. The basket broke a scoring drought of over two minutes. 

Ahead of the final media timeout of the half, Watson scored on back-to-back possessions. The Friars held a slim lead, 32-28. 

Fairfield's Supreme Cook completed the and-one play with 2:05 remaining to cut the Stags' deficit to one point.

Scores from Jared Bynum and Durham completed the half for the Friars.

The Friars led 42-35 at halftime. 

Providence shot 17-27 (63.0%) from the field, 3-9 (33.3%) from three, and 5-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line. 

Fairfield shot 14-27 (51.9%) from the field, 5-12 (41.7%) from three, and 2-3 (66.7%) from the free-throw line.

 

SECOND HALF:

Reeves made two technical free throws to open the half.

On the ensuing possession, Noah Horchler knocked down a three-pointer from the left corner. The Friars had their first double-digit lead, 47-35.

With 14:03 remaining, Fairfield completed a 10-0 run in over two minutes to decrease Providence's lead to 54-53. 

The Friars broke a scoring drought of over four minutes at the 12:28 mark with a three-point play by Reeves. 

The teams traded baskets as the second half progressed.

At the 8:12 mark, Justin Minaya got the offensive rebound and converted a contested layup. The Friars' lead extended to eight, 69-61.

The Friars forced a Fairfield shot clock violation moments before the final media timeout. The Friars maintained their lead, 74-64. 

 

NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS:

Providence finished 26-51 (51.0%) from the field, 4-18 (22.2%) from three, and 24-36 (66.7%) from the free throw line. 

Fairfield finished 27-63 (42.9%) from the field, 9-26 (34.6%) from three, and 10-15 (66.7%) from the free throw line. 

Bynum led the Friars in assists and steals, with four and two, respectively.

Zach Crisler led the way for Fairfield with a team-high 14 points. 

Attendance - 9990

 

 

NEXT UP:

PC faces vs Sacred Heart University on Thursday at 6:30 PM