Friars Season Goes From Bad To Worse: Lose To South Florida 79-72

Email to a friend Permalink

Monday, January 17, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

It’s becoming a memorable season for the PC Friars, but for all the wrong reasons.

Just 3 days after getting embarrassed at West Virginia, the Friars blew a 17-point lead at South Florida losing 79-72.

The loss kept PC (11-8, 0-6 BE) winless in the Big East and gave the Bulls (7-12, 1-5 BE) their first conference win of the season.

Once again, the Friars defense was a major problem. PC ranks last in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense and Sunday they allowed the Bulls to lay 50 on them in the second half on 53% shooting from the field.

Once again, Marshon Brooks led the Friars offensively with a game-high 28 points. Kadeem Batts turned in the best performance of his young career. The redshirt freshman had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

Hugh Robertson led South Florida with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Fellow forward Jarrid Famous had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls who out-rebounded PC 45-39 for the game.

Providence returns to the Dunk for their next two games. The Friars host Rick Pitino and 17th-ranked Louisville on Saturday at 5pm. After that, #7 Villanova visits the Dunk on January 26th.