Marquette sets pace, tops Friars 81-71

Providence might be ready to ask if Marquette really has to come along to the new conference.  In the Friars’ last three trips to Milwaukee they’d been outscored by 83 points, and while it wasn’t the complete drubbing of recent trips, Marquette controlled this game from the tip en route to an 81-71 victory.

Buzz Williams has built the program that Providence fans hope to have one day.  No matter who they graduate, the Golden Eagles find themselves in the upper half  of the Big East every year behind a familiar formula – depth, veteran leadership and tenacity.  And they’re very difficult to beat at home, having now won 20 straight at the Bradley Center.

Williams’ group is 5-1 in the Big East, despite the losses of All Big East performers Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom from last season, leaving them without a true number one scoring option this year.

They do have Davante Gardner.  The 6’9 wide-body was a difficult guard for Providence throughout, as he picked up two quick fouls on Kadeem Batts early, resulting in PC’s best frontcourt player sitting through much of the first half and heading to the locker room scoreless. Batts, coming off of a 17 point effort versus Pittsburgh, was unable to get on track when he returned.

Gardner was, however.  He barreled his way to 4-8 field goals inside, made all five of his free throws, and set a punishing tone early for a Marquette team that hammered PC on the offensive glass, grabbing nine in the first half alone.

They’ve also got a strong, experienced point guard in Junior Cadougan who was a handful for the Friars to contain off of the dribble. He finished with a team-leading 15 points and set the pace throughout.

More than any individual effort, poise on offense and the ability to get a stop when they needed it most were what separated Providence and Marquette on this afternoon.

Trailing by 16 with just over 13 minutes left, Providence went on a 9-1 run to get themselves back into the game, and after Sidiki Johnson scored inside and LaDontae Henton made a pair of free throws, the Friars suddenly found themselves within six with over seven minutes remaining.

Yet, like in the loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, they were unable to get a defensive stand when they needed it most.

On Marquette’s next possession Vander Blue sliced his way from beyond the three point line all the way to the rim for a layup that upped the lead to 63-55 with seven minutes left.

After Bryce Cotton made a jump shot on the other end, Juan Anderson found himself alone for a three pointer that he promptly knocked down.  66-57 Marquette.

Providence turned it over on their next possession, then Jamil Wilson made his way through the paint to all but seal it for the Eagles, giving them an 11 point lead with 4:26 on the clock.  They pushed the lead to 16 moments later and Providence was unable to get the game back to single digits the rest of the way.

Game Notes:

• Providence was the first team to shoot over 40% against Marquette since their Big East opener against Connecticut.  The Friars shot 44% on the day.
• Bryce Cotton once again led PC with 19 points.
• Sidiki Johnson had his best offensive night of the year, making 6-12 from the field, 2-3 at the line, grabbing three offensive rebounds and scoring a career-high 14 points.  Johnson is still a bit shaky with the ball in his hands, but he slowed down around the rim today and the result was his best offensive output to date.
• Kris Dunn has been sidelined at practice due to the flu, but he had perhaps his best offensive half of the year in the second.  He scored seven points in a three minute span to bring PC back into the game with just over 10 minutes to play and finished the day with 10 points on 3-3 from the field and 4-5 at the free throw line.  Dunn wasn’t himself against Pittsburgh earlier in the week and the illness comes at an unfortunate time, as he seems to be finding his footing of late.
• Marquette out-rebounded Providence by eight, shot just under 50% from the field and made 19-23 free throws.
• Both teams turned it over only eight times.

Email Kevin at kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

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