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Providence Peaks in 2nd Half

Henton at Hall

The last time Providence played Seton Hall Ed Cooley kept it pretty simple: “Our team goes the way LaDonte Henton and Kris Dunn go. When they’re good, we’re good. When they’re bad, we’re bad. It’s really that simple.”

It wasn’t all that simple for the Friars in the first half. Dunn struggled in the game’s first 20 minutes (0-5 shooting) and Seton Hall ran out to a 15 point lead. PC shot just 25% and allowed Seton Hall to make 54% of their attempts, but as they had done on the road at both Butler and Georgetown earlier this season, the Friars stayed close enough to give themselves a chance.

That PC trailed by just eight (37-29) at halftime was a bit of a moral victory for Ed Cooley’s bunch. They were able to do so behind 14-16 free throw shooting, nine points and four rebounds out of Henton, and a big lift from freshman Ben Bentil who provided energy when his veteran teammates were flat (4 offensive rebounds, 6-6 at the free throw line).

The final 20 minutes were the Friars playing at their peak.

Dunn made 6-8 shots from the field and dished out seven of his eight assists. The third year point guard dominated almost from the instant he stepped out of the locker room, making three jump shots and assisting on two other baskets in the first three and a half minutes of the half. Providence needed less than three minutes to tie this one up and Dunn was the catalyst.

Henton scored eight points over the first eight minutes of the second half — his second 3-pointer pushed PC’s lead to 52-45 and gave him over 2,000 points for his career. Henton is now just the second Friar to ever score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. He’s the fourth Friar to ever score 2,000.

And while Dunn and Henton were spectacular, this one was about more than just the stars playing like stars.

Providence would have trailed by double figures at the half if not for Bentil, whose energy in the first half kept PC close, and whose skill set helped them blow this game open. Much had been made of Bentil’s promise as he dominated at times during summer and fall practices, and while he’s showed flashes of that talent, Bentil’s full game was on display on this night in New Jersey.

The freshman big man finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds (7 offensive) for his third double double of the season. He made all 12 of his free throw attempts, seemingly not hitting the rim on any of them. Bentil added a 3-pointer and a baseline jumper for good measure, in an effort that is likely to keep opposing coaches up at night when they scout Providence heading into the postseason.

With a game left in the regular season — a critical matchup against fellow top 25 opponent Butler — the Friars are playing for the second seed in the Big East Tournament and have locked up a bid in the NCAAs.

Providence is now 21-9 on the season, 11-6 in the Big East and sport an impressive 19th ranking in the RPI. Unlike a season ago, it’s not a matter of if Providence is in the Tournament as the regular season concludes, but how high they can climb?

On Wednesday night, PC showed just how difficult they can be, turning a 15 point deficit into a 79-66 road victory.

And now Providence is looking at back to back NCAA Tournaments for the first time in 25 years, a pair of 1st Team All Big East performers, and a developing core of talented big men.

These are good days in Friartown.

Twitter: Kevin_Farrahar

Email: kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

18 Comments

  1. Neil Primeau

    March 5, 2015 at 3:00 am

    GREAT ROAD WIN….TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS…..1 MORE GAME VS. BUTLER IN PROVIDENCE….FINISH…STRONG…GUYS….

  2. Ron Santoro

    March 5, 2015 at 3:02 am

    Have a chance to finish 2nd in BE with win over Butler. The Dunk will be rocking and rolling

  3. Debra Simone

    March 5, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Love my Friars!

  4. Norman Lavallee

    March 5, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Buckets and Boards, they call me LaDontae Henton! A quiet leader of the Friars!

  5. Christine Melucci

    March 5, 2015 at 3:18 am

    GO FRIARS!!!

  6. Frank Landry

    March 5, 2015 at 3:21 am

    Thks LaDontae Over 2000 points and 1000
    Rebounds. Beat Butler
    And number 2 Seed 4 or 5 seed in Dance. Coach Cooley great job this year.

  7. Jimmie Horrigan

    March 5, 2015 at 4:14 am

    Good to see Carson back,he will definitely be needed for the upcoming games

  8. Jennifer Palombo

    March 5, 2015 at 6:04 am

    So sorry to miss the game! Fantastic!

  9. Kerri Murray

    March 5, 2015 at 9:58 am

    So proud of the Friars!!!!! Yay!!!!!

  10. Jeremy Nunes

    March 5, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Congratulations to LaDontae!! A class act who Friar fans can be proud of

  11. David Levesque

    March 5, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    That second half effort is the best stretch of basketball i’ve seen them play all year. (HARRIS was on the bench where he belongs, thank goodness he is a senior and is done!). Go Buckets!

  12. Rob D'Angelo

    March 5, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    I’ve been following. Friars are my Cinderella team!

  13. Nancy Noon Cronin

    March 5, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    We needed this win! Thanks, guys. Go, Friars, get ready for Saturday now.

  14. Zak Asatrian

    March 5, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    I hope they knock off Butler on Saturday at the Dunk

  15. Timothy L'heureux

    March 5, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Harris sill has another year I believe!!!

  16. Derec Lamendola

    March 5, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Criag Leghton Derc Lamemdola How PAERKITS PERKITS PERKITS PERKITS PERTKIS PERTKIS PERKITS PERTKIS PERTKIS PERTKIS DEREC LAMENDOLA GOING NEW YORK WHO CARS CARS CARS ABOUT SNOW SNOW SNOW WHO CARS CARS ABOUT SNOW This GAME We NEED TO GET VOKOS And Let’s Have Coachs Meeeding I Won’t Coachis Meeedding

  17. Derec Lamendola

    March 5, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    DONT DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DONG DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T SAY 1 MORE Plaes IS Hertas MY Fisnlings And Criag Leghtihon REMBER Tommmmmerrrrow Derec Lamemdola LaDoante Henton ON Friarbasketball Page And Let’s Have Coachos Meeeding And When That Coming UP When IS Derec Lamendola Radow Show I Wont See JAMED PACKTED FULLL HOUSE FULLLL PACKTED AT DUNK IM Going CYRNG Get The Crying Towel Redey Go And Crying Towl IS Hear All Redey DEREC LAMEDOLA GOING NEW YORK Pleryas DO This For Me This BUTTLER LAST GAME NOT PC

  18. Robert Lombardi

    March 5, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    Ya Baby almost there go friars

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