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URI Turns PC Over, Snaps Streak

Terrell Urges Crowd

Too many turnovers, too much infighting, and too little composure. By the time the Friars turned things around, it was too little, too late.

Providence made their mistakes in Saturday’s 75-68 loss at Rhode Island, URI’s first victory in the series in eight tries, but credit Dan Hurley’s group. The Rams ramped up their aggressiveness after falling behind 16-9 early, out-scoring Providence 33-15 over the final 11 minutes of the first half.

The star during that stretch was tiny freshman Fatts Russell, a 165 pound point guard out of Philadelphia. Russell is a Imhotep Charter product, and if that school sounds familiar, it should. Former Friar Brandon Austin helped put them on the map before Russell starred there and led Imhotep to a top five national ranking as a senior.

Russell made a pair of 3-pointers and three layups in the final ten minutes of the first half, helping URI push its lead to 11 at the break.

It was an uphill battle for Providence from that point. That’s not where to you want be on the road against a program desperate the silence talk of how you’ve dominated them since Ed Cooley took over.

On paper, Providence should not have had a chance to pull this game out in the closing minutes. They missed 11 of their 21 free throw attempts, made just four 3-point field goals, turned the ball over 21 times, and their top player struggled through a 1-7 night.

After dominating Rhode Island last season, Kyron Cartwright didn’t score until there were 44 seconds remaining in this one. Sniper Jalen Lindsey took just two shots (both 3-pointers that he knocked down), and after a strong start, Rodney Bullock did not score a point in the final 18:50 of the game.

Ed Cooley has said repeatedly that this team will go as far as its seniors take them. So, how then were they down just three points with 3:49 left in the second half?

The underclassmen emerged in the chaos.

Alpha Diallo scored 13 of his team high 17 points in the second half, putting his head down and getting to the rim, scoring with his back to the basket, and knocking down a 3-pointer when it appeared as though Rhode Island was set to pull away.

While the veterans struggled, no one seemed more rattled than Makai Ashton-Langford in the first half. As Russell scorched the Friars, PC’s freshman point guard was held without a field goal in the first half and seemed to force the issue in his first stint in this rivalry.

The second half brought a different Ashton-Langford, and a glimpse into the Friars’ future. Ashton-Langford (12 points, 6 assists) finished with four made field goals in the second half, on a variety of difficult drives and pull-ups. All three of his makes in the final seven minutes followed a URI hoop (at 6:43 to counter an Andre Berry jumper to cut the lead to 60-55, at 6:04 to counter another Berry jump shot, and at the 2:39 mark to slice the lead to 67-64 following a Jared Terrell basket).

Ashton-Langford weathered a difficult early start and looked as though he could will PC over the hump in the closing minutes.

Fellow freshman Nate Watson was terrific offensively in 19 minutes, shooting 4-4 from the field and 2-2 at the free throw line. Watson appears on the verge of becoming a consistent interior scorer if given more looks inside.

For as much as the youngsters grew up in this one, they weren’t faultless. Ashton-Langford missed five three throws and Diallo forced a difficult three when the Friars were in desperate need of a good set late.

Russell led URI with 20 points, Stanford Robinson grabbed 12 rebounds, and senior guard Jarvis Garrett made 6-8 shots from the field in scoring 15 points.

Ultimately, this game was won in the turnover department and at the free throw line. Providence turned the ball over 10 more times than Rhode Island (21-11), and while PC missed 11 of 21 free throw attempts, URI went 20-23.

Sometimes it’s as simple as that.

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Dennis

    December 3, 2017 at 1:24 am

    Worst game by pC in a very long time

  2. Derec Lamendola

    December 3, 2017 at 3:09 am

    Providence College Men’s Basketball Has TO Something Tommmerrrow Ans Get Redey For Next Wedensday And What IS Going On Hear With US And Becuase Derec Lamendola Works For Providence Colllege Geting This Dune And Providence Colllege Men’s Basketball Derec Lamendola Has TO Be Redey And I’m Am SO MAD Right Now And I Won’t Ee Cooley Don’t Be Mad And Becuase I Won’t Ed.Coooley Get Back And Don’t Were About Becuase Derec Lamendola Was MAD Tonight AT The Ryan Ceneter I Don’t Like The Ryan Ceneter I Love The Dunk Beeter Thing Oh my god! I Left And Becuase I Don’t Won’t Be Thery URI Cwrod So Be Redey And Move On And Bos Back You Know Me

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