Devin Vanterpool (21 points) led the Friars past the Bulldogs, 78-55
By KEVIN McNAMARA
PROVIDENCE – Slowed by a rash of injuries and still smarting from a loss to Nebraska, the Providence Friars were looking for a spark to find their groove Tuesday night. They found that spark from a pressing defense, freshman Clyde Walters and Devin Vanterpool’s first look at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Leading by just 20-18 with six minutes left in the first half, Providence cranked up its defense, extending pressure to full court, and entered halftime with a 38-25 lead. Bryant owned one solid push in the second half but PC was never seriously threatened on the way to a 78-55 win.
PC (2-1) used its pressure to force 17 of Bryant’s 25 turnovers in the first half. Walters led that first half push, as did Miles Byrd and Vanterpool. Those three players accounted for 11 of PC’s 19 steals, the most for the team since 2009.
“We wanted to speed the game up tonight but honestly today wasn’t necessarily ideal because of limited bodies. I thought it gassed us a little bit. It was necessary to kind of jump-start us,” Hodgson said.
The Friars played without starters Ryan Mela (shin splints) and Arrinten Page (leg injury). Backup big man Samson Aletan (temperature) was also held out.
Hodgson was not happy with his team’s offense for most of the game, specifically because “we have a turnover problem right now.” The Friars racked up 16 turnovers as Hodgson said the team is still adjusting to playing at the uptempo pace he’s pushing on a daily basis.
