By KEVIN McNAMARA
When you’re involved in the highest scoring game in school history there is only one end of the scoreboard you wish to live on.
That wasn’t the case for the Providence College Friars in their Big East opener Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
After dodging disaster with crucial defensive stops at the end of regulation and in the first overtime, the Friars ran out of luck in the final 40 seconds and suffered a painful 113-110 loss to the Bulldogs. The final, decisive play, came when PC’s Jason Edwards secured a loose rebound, fell to the floor and then had the ball pulled away from him by Michael Ajayi. He kicked the ball out to sophomore Evan Haywood (18 points) who sank an open 3-pointer with 35 seconds left.
After a timeout to settle his team, Kim English saw Stefan Vaaks and then Jaylin Sellers take threes and miss as the Friars lost the highest scoring game (223 points) in program history. It’s the most points scored by the Friars in a loss and only the 13th time the team has scored 110 or more points.
While it’s crazy to pinpoint one play as the back-breaker in a game with 84 possessions, Edwards losing the ball under the rim was tough to swallow. The Friars saw Butler grab 21 offensive rebounds so to have possession after a missed layup by Ajayi in a 110-110 game offered a moment of hope. But it didn’t last.
The Friars fell to 7-5 overall and have now allowed an average of 102.2 points in those defeats. While the offense continues to cook (47% FG, 14 threes), the lack of any consistent defensive force has the entire program stymied.
“I commend our guys for continuing to fight and compete throughout the duration of that game but if you think you’re going to win an offensive game on the road, in the Big East, you’re mistaken,” English said. “You’re not going to outscore teams in the Big East on the road. Maybe you can at home. It’s about your defense. In conference play throughout the country it’s about getting just one stop.”
Edwards tied his career-high with 32 points, including six 3-pointers and two huge ones that helped extend the first overtime. Jaylin Sellers added 26 points with four 3-pointers. Four other Friars reached double figures but it was the lack of defensive force that led to the Friars’ demise.
Gonzaga transfer Michael Ajiyi continued his big effort at Butler with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Finley Bizjack added 26 points, 18 after halftime.
SUBSCRIBE TO KEVINMcSPORTS TODAY!!! CLICK HERE!!
The Friars’ defensive breakdowns were obviously widespread. Butler’s 113 points are the most ever scored in a Big East game against PC. One consistent breakdown was Butler’s ability to back-cut on Friar defenders for layups and driving scores. This happened across the board to PC players ranging from Stefan Vaaks to Duncan Powell and Corey Floyd.
“You can’t get back-cut. You can’t get back-cut if you’re not denying and we were not denying (the ball),” English said.
The loss ruined a golden opportunity at a critical win as Butler is off to a strong 8-2 start and sits in the top 50 of both the NCAA’s NET ranking and the Kenpom analytic site. The Friars won’t play against until they host Georgia Tech on Friday, Dec. 19.
