Friars Win: (18) Butler 68, (16) Providence 71

"He's the best point guard in America." Gus Johnson on Kris Dunn's late-game heroics on @FS1. #BIGEASThoops https://t.co/X80WKo2cTd

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) January 20, 2016

• The first half was foul-riddled with the zebras calling each team for 11 fouls through 20 minutes. Kris Dunn, Rodney Bullock, Junior Lomomba and Drew Edwards all were saddled with 2 fouls in the first half and Ed Cooley was forced to frequently use the substitution horn to mix and match lineups. It also forced the Friars into more zone defense, which was effective against the Bulldogs, who closed the half 1/8 from the field over the last 5:41 of the first half.
• Kris Dunn didn’t play great and was hampered by foul trouble again. He did manage to dish out 7 assists, including some great passes in key situations. He scored 9 points on 3/8 shooting, but made 2 big-time 3-pointers in crunch time. Dunn also had 5 rebounds on the night.
• Ben Bentil did it again. The Friar sophomore seemingly puts up 20+ points every time you look at the box score. Bentil had 20 points on 6/14 shooting, including 8/10 from the free throw line. Bentil also had 7 rebounds and played all 40 minutes.
• Rodney Bullock stepped up for Providence in this game. Bullock hadn’t been playing well or with much fire the last few times out, but he was fiery and active against Butler. Bullock finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
• Kyron Cartwright gave Providence a lot of energy in the first half and was inserted into the starting lineup by Ed Cooley in an effort to shake things up. Cartwright certainly shook things up. He tied a career-high with 13 points — all in the first half — and played with a swagger that he has shown in spurts this season.
• Kellen Dunham was feeling his shot tonight and led all scorers with 21 points. Dunham was 6/12 from beyond the arc and nearly hit one on Butler’s last possession to send this game to overtime.
• Roosevelt Jones quietly put up 16 points and 4 rebounds for Butler. He made some key baskets, but  also was called for a key charge that Bentil took with 14 seconds left and Providence leading by 3.
• Providence shot 42% from the field in this game, which isn’t great but is better than they’ve been putting up of late. They were 18/25 from the free throw line, won the rebounding battle, 37-32, and outscored Butler in the paint, 36-34.
• The entire game was a back and forth battle. Both teams had answers for the other team’s scores. There were 12 ties and 11 leads changes. The game was a seesaw until the very end.
• The Friars return to action on Saturday, January 23rd against Villanova at the Wells Fargo Center at 12:00pm EST. The game will be televised on FOX.

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Mike Hopkins

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