Friars Shock #7 Villanova 83-68

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

It wasn’t exactly 7th-ranked North Carolina and the Blizzard of ’78, but for the Friar fans that showed up at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, they were rewarded to another upset of a nationally ranked team. Providence College knocked off 7th-ranked Villanova 83-68 Wednesday for their second straight Big East upset.

Back in February of 1978, nearly 7,000 Friar fans had to walk to the Providence Civic Center to watch their team upset the Tar Heels 61-59. Wednesday night, PC fans were able to drive to the Dunk and get home safely before the heavy snow arrived. And like they did in 1978, they went home happy.

The Friars never trailed in this one jumping on the Wildcats right from the start. Three’s by Gerard Coleman (16 pts) and Vincent Council (16 pts, 8 reb, 8 assists) put PC up 6-0 just 1 minute in. Those were two of five first half three’s for PC which led 34-25 at the break.

Most figured that Villanova would make a second half run at the Friars but PC wouldn’t allow it. For the second consecutive game, Providence played a more aggressive man-to-man defense contesting most of the Wildcats’ shots.

For the game, PC held Villanova to 33% shooting (25-77) and just 18% from three (4-22).

Offensively, the Friars were led once again by Marshon Brooks who finished with a game-high 20 points and 8 rebounds. Maalik Wayns led Villanova with 18 points. Antonio Pena had a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

PC was sent to the free throw line often and made the Wildcats pay shooting 82% (31-38).

With the win, the Friars improve to (13-8) overall and (2-6) in the Big East. Now the challenge becomes winning games against teams in the lower half of the conference standings against the likes of Seton Hall on the road Sunday and South Florida at the Dunk next Wednesday.

At 78 points per game, scoring is not a problem for the Friars. If they continue to defend as they have against Louisville and Villanova, they can and will win more games in the Big East.