Stat Leaders

Starting Lineups

Recap

• Villanova got out to a 9-0 start on 3 made triples by Phil Booth and the Friars’ offensive struggles would last the full 20 minutes. Ed Cooley seemed to be throwing lineups against the wall looking for any kind of spark, but that wasn’t happening in the first half. The Friars shot 8/27 in the first half and also fell short at the free throw line to the tune of 8/18 and from 3-point range, 1/11. The lone make from deep was in the final seconds by Makai Ashton-Langford. Villanova, on the other hand, made 57.7% of their first half field goal attempts and took an 18 point lead into the locker room.
• It was more of the same as Providence started the second half 1/12 from the field. The Wildcats weren’t as efficient, but maintained a comfortable lead near 20 during the opening 5+ minutes. There was some excitement when the Friars pulled within 7 after a 3 by Ashton-Langford and then, coupled with a Villanova scoring drought, pulled with 4. Booth an And-1 to put Villanova back up 7, but Ashton-Langford answered with another 3 to bring the Friars within 4 with 45.4 to go. In the end, it was too little, too late for the Friars. The Wildcats improved to a 2-0 start to Big East play while the Friars drop to 0-2 with both losses coming at home.
• Providence was led by Ashton-Langford with 20 points on 6/9 from the field in 24 minutes off the bench. Other Providence players in double figures were Isaiah Jackson with 11 points and Alpha Diallo with 10.
• Villanova was led by Booth with 23 points on 7/16 shooting.
• Providence did well on the offensive glass with 17 boards against just 7 for Villanova.
• The Friars gets a week off before heading down to Washington DC to take on the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on Saturday. That game tips at 12:00pm and will air on FS1.

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Mike Hopkins

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