Video: “PC in 7” Providence versus UMass

Friarbasketball.com – where insomnia lives!

I stayed up late re-watching a heart-breaker for the Friars and captured the game in video below. It was a painful close for Providence, but in taking another look there were several positives to be gained.

A look at a few things that stood out on second look:

• Forgotten in the loss may be how Ed Cooley’s bunch was able to gather itself after being so erratic throughout much of the first half.  After starting fast (8-2 lead three minutes in), PC wilted in the face of the UMass pressure, as the Minutemen ripped off an early 18-4 run in taking PC completely out of their offense.  Providence went without a field goal for nearly eight minutes in the first half.
• How were the Friars able to get back into it?  Grit and a bit of fortune.    PC scored four field goals in the final two minutes of the first half, three coming off of offensive rebounds and the fourth a banked in three pointer by Josh Fortune.  A nine point deficit with two minutes remaining in the half was shaved to five by the break after Kadeem Batts grabbed a miss and hit a half hook with four seconds remaining.
• Batts drew a pair of charges in the first half.
• Cotton was absolutely terrific for an eight minute span in the second half in bringing Providence back.  With Batts scoring only five second half points and LaDontae Henton struggling through a difficult shooting night, PC was still able to score 40 in the second half, largely thanks to Cotton.  A season ago the junior guard did not frequent the free throw line, but he attempted six foul shots (making all six) from around the 5:45 to 3:00 marks in the second half.  He’s creating for others and getting himself to the line early in the season – two knocks against him a year ago.

 Email Kevin at kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

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