Providence Wins Third Straight Against Rival URI, 84-69

The Providence College men’s basketball team defeated Rhode Island, 84-69, on Saturday, December 2 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. It was the 133rd meeting all-time between the two teams. The Friars improved to 7-1 on the season and 77-56 all-time versus the Rams. Five Friars scored in double figures, led by junior Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, Ill.) who scored a game-high 24 points for the Friars. He scored 19 of his points in the second half. Junior Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

“This game is great for both programs and we are proud to now be part of the history of this great rivalry in the 133rd game,” Head Coach Kim English said. “We told our guys coming into this week that the only thing that matters is the W column at the end of the night. It was another big game; it was hard fought and physical. I thought the collective spirit of our group was positive.”

FIRST HALF:

•Carter scored the first basket of the game by knocking down a three-pointer two minutes into the game.

•The Friars went on a 7-0 run over two-minutes heading into the first media timeout. The Friars led 10-7.

•After enduring a four-minute scoring drought, Rich Barron (Chicago, Ill.) sunk a three-pointer to extend the Friars lead to six, 18-12.

•The Rams hit back-to-back three pointers to cut the Friars’ lead to three with eight minutes left in the half, 21-18.

•At the 1:59 mark, Garwey Dual (Houston, Texas) forced a turnover and took the ball coast-to-coast for a layup to give Providence a seven-point lead forcing a Rhode Island timeout.

•The Friars held a three-point lead heading into the locker room, 35-32.

•Providence shot 14-34 (41.2 %) from the field, 3-10 (30.0 %) from three and 4-6 (66.7 %) from the free throw line.

•Rhode Island shot 13-32 (40.6 %) from the field, 4-8 (50.0 %) from three and 2-4 (50.0 %) from the free throw line.

SECOND HALF:

•Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) knocked down a three-pointer at the top of the key to open the half.

•At the 17:52 mark, Rhode Island knotted the score at 38-38 by knocking down a jumper. Providence responded by going on a 7-0 run in 55 seconds, 45-38.

•The Friars led 54-47 at the under 12-minute media timeout.

•With 9:26 left, Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) brought a spark for the Friars after ending a two-minute scoring drought by knocking down a three-pointer from the corner.

•At the 8:44 mark, Pierre completed a three-point play to give Providence its largest lead of the game of nine, 63-54.

•Pierre found Hopkins in the paint for an emphatic dunk with 7:15 remaining. The Friars led by 13, 69-56.

•At the final media timeout, Providence led by 14, 79-65.

NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS:

•Providence finished 32-65 (49.2 %) from the field, 8-20 (40.0 %) from three and 12-16 (75.0 %) from the free throw line.

•Rhode Island finished 28-62 (45.2 %) from the field, 6-12 (50.0 %) from three and 7-15 (46.7 %) from the free throw line.

•Five players finished in double figures for the Friars in, Bryce Hopkins (24), Devin Carter (17), Josh Oduro (10), Ticket Gaines (10) and Jayden Pierre (12).

•Jayden Pierre returned to the lineup after missing three games with a leg injury.

•Jaden House led the way for the Rams scoring 18 points.

•The Friars have played Rhode Island more than any other opponent all-time (133 times).

•Providence is 92-5 in non-conference home games over the last 13 seasons, including a 25-game unbeaten streak since 2019.

•The Friars are 42-3 in their last 44 games at the AMP and 624-238 all-time.

•Attendance – 12,513

WHAT’S NEXT:

•The Friars will travel to Norman, Okla. to face the nationally ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners on Tuesday, Dec. 5 in the BIG EAST-BIG 12 battle. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

•It will mark the first meeting with the Sooners since March 20, 1991 where the Friars lost 83-74 in the NIT.