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Friars Lose Third Straight

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Despite a brilliant first half out of Bryce Cotton, Ed Cooley and the Friars were unable to hang on against the Georgetown on the road, falling to the Hoyas 83-71.

Cotton’s performance was as terrific as we have seen this season, but the supporting cast around him just wasn’t there tonight. Josh Fortune, who scored a career high 17 points against Xavier, shot just 2-14 from the floor and Carson Desrosiers had perhaps his worst night as a Friar. Desrosiers and LaDontae Henton combined for just 7 points, hitting just 2 field goals for the game.

In the final 7 minutes of the first half Cotton was unconscious, scoring 19 points on 5-5 shooting including an additional 5-5 from the free throw line. Prior to that run, he hadn’t scored a single basket. His offensive outburst helped break through a 12 point deficit, eventually giving PC a 4 point lead heading into half time.

Georgetown head coach, John Thompson III, deserves a lot of credit for making the necessary adjustments during the intermission to slow down Cotton in the second half. The PC star wound up with 31 points on the night, but it simply wasn’t enough.

With the Hoyas leading by one with 5:25 to play, Georgetown went on an 8-2 run, sparked by three pointers from Smith-Rivera and Jabril Trawick. The Friars never got any closer from that point on.

Over the course of the contest’s final two minutes, Ed Cooley attempted to extend the game by sending Georgetown to the line. Trawick, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Reggie Cameron and Mikael Hopkins knocked down all 11 of their free throw attempts in that two minute span preventing any sort of PC comeback.

For the Hoyas, four players finished in double-figures as Smith-Rivera led the way with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Markel Starks added 14 points and 4 assists.

Tonight’s loss gives Providence their third in a row, matching a season high for consecutive losses. PC’s next two home games, against DePaul and #6 Villanova, now become must wins if the Friars want to remain in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

As made clear tonight, no matter how good Bryce Cotton is, more guys will have to step up for PC to win on the road. Saturday’s matchup with DePaul should be in front of a sold out Dunkin Donuts Center as Providence College will be welcoming back many of the Friar Faithful for Alumni Weekend. Look for the Friars to regain their confidence against one the Big East’s worst teams in preparation for Villanova on February 18th.

Email Craig Belhumeur – craig.belhumeur@friarbasketball.com
Craig on Twitter – @Craig_Belhumeur

 

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