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Cooley Leaves, X Pulls Away Late

PC at Xavier

Providence lost 78-69 at Xavier on Saturday afternoon, but the bigger concern for Friar fans in the immediate aftermath is the health of head coach Ed Cooley who left the game early in the second half and did not return. The Providence Journal’s Kevin McNamara reported from Cincinnati that Cooley was suffering from stomach and breathing issues.

The Friars were in prime position to pick up a second straight big road victory, leading 42-34 prior to Cooley’s departure, but Xavier ripped off an 18-2 run after Cooley left and led by as many as nine before PC rallied to twice tie the game in the second half.

Xavier ran off 10 straight points to snap the tie — a run that concluded with under three minutes to play — and managed to hold off Providence late. The Friars had a chance to cut the lead to one possession after Kris Dunn broke out off of a Jalen Lindsey steal with just over a minute left, but Dunn was stripped by Xavier point guard Dee Davis, and Xavier closed by scoring the final four points of the game.

Defensive leaks hurt Providence in this one, as Xavier shot over 53% from the field and made four 3-pointers early in the second half when it looked as though the Friars would push their advantage into double figures.

Sophomore sniper Myles Davis was trouble, making 4-5 from 3, while freshman Trevon Bluiett hit three 3-pointers of his own on his way to 19 points. Jalen Reynolds dominated Providence inside, making 9-10 from the field and scoring a career-high 19 points.

LaDontae Henton carried PC with 24 points and nine rebounds, Kris Dunn finished with 11 points, eight assists and six rebounds (his six turnovers were costly, however) and Providence got a huge lift from their freshmen in the first half, as the foursome of Ben Bentil, Kyron Cartwright, Paschal Chukwu and Jalen Lindsey combined for 21 of the Friars’ 40 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Cartwright and Bentil, in particular, are starting to emerge. Cartwright provides a play-making presence outside of Dunn, while Bentil put up his second consecutive solid game, scoring 16 points and blocking a pair of shots.

Providence now awaits #7 Villanova, who will come to the Dunk on Wednesday night for the biggest game of the season.

In the meantime, the eyes of Providence will be on Cooley and his health.

Twitter: Kevin_Farrahar

 

16 Comments

  1. Nancy Noon Cronin

    February 7, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Praying for Ed Cooley.

  2. Clif Colwell

    February 7, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Speedy recovery Coach

  3. Darlene Calise

    February 7, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Ughhhhh

  4. Darlene Calise

    February 7, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Ughhhhh

  5. Liz Cochrane

    February 7, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Get better Coach , we need you!

  6. Jeremy Nunes

    February 7, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Tough to overcome an 18-2 run on the road. They did a nice job battling back but Xavier made big plays when they needed to. I hope Coach Cooley is ok and it’s nothing serious. It was scary watching him walk off the court

  7. Fred Pucillo

    February 7, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Get well coach we will be praying for you

  8. Michael Trenn

    February 7, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    I hope Coach feels better soon.

  9. David Randall

    February 7, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    Praying for you coach, xavier had alot of fun…hope to see them in bigeast tournament!!!!

  10. Amy Flores Creedon

    February 7, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    Praying for Coach Cooley!

  11. Michael Graham Adamowicz

    February 7, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    Feel better, Coach.

  12. Michelle Gordon Noon

    February 7, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    our thoughts are with Ed Cooley and his family. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

  13. Neil Primeau

    February 7, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    Get well Ed…..

  14. Raymond Wolslegel

    February 7, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    Get well Coach Cooley! #pcbb

  15. Inez Silva

    February 8, 2015 at 12:08 am

    Get well coach! !

  16. Derec Lamendola

    February 8, 2015 at 3:28 am

    LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO We Need Coolley Back And I’m Geting Wroied About HIM And I Love Cosch Ed Cooooley And He The Best Coach I WAS Cring Jus Now AndBecuass All This IS Geting Me Streach Me OUT And Come ON Providence Collllege Friars Mens Basket Ball Got Make The Dance This Year DON’T DON’T DON’T Say About The LAST LAST LAST LAST GAME Becusse We Are Hear TO Vokos This Year You Know And Come ON I Was ANGREAY I Was

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