Friars Rally, Lose In OT To Cincy

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

For quite a while Saturday night, the Providence College Friars looked like a beaten team.

Down by 16 points midway through the second half, PC found its mojo going on a 19-5 run to take their first lead of the game on a Marshon Brooks bucket 73-72 with :37 seconds left in regulation.

After Cincinnati’s Rashad Bishop (career-high 23 pts) made 1 of 2 free throws with :16 seconds left, the game was all even at 73-73.

This is where things got strange for PC.

The ball was thrown in to Brooks who, inexplicably, decided to slowly walk the ball up the floor.

Not wanting to wait for Brooks to get the ball into the frontcourt, Friars coach Keno Davis called a timeout. Unlike his decision Thursday night to not call one in the closing seconds against DePaul, Davis seemingly didn’t want to leave anything to chance by setting up a play.

What’s baffling is the play the Friars ran coming out of the timeout.

PC understandably put the ball in Brooks hands again but the senior decided to hold it near mid court until just 3 seconds remained.

So far from the basket with so little time left on the clock, it became apparent that the best Brooks could do was a long three point attempt. Cincinnati’s defense adjusted accordingly contesting the shot which missed as regulation time ended.

As disappointing as that play was, overtime was even more of a disaster for the Friars. PC was outscored 20-8 in the extra 5 minutes falling 93-81 to the Bearcats.

Brooks 27 points led the Friars followed by Kadeem Batts 17 points and 11 rebounds.

At (14-13) overall and (3-11) in the Big East, PC returns to play Wednesday night when 7th-ranked Notre Dame visits the Dunk for a 7pm game.