Providence falls to Arkansas in NIT first round

Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsDespite being without leading scorer and rebounder Daniel Gafford, the Arkansas Razorbacks cruised to an 84-72 road victory against the Providence Friars in the first round of the NIT Tuesday evening.

Arkansas got hot from the beginning of the game, hitting their first five threes and getting out to a 30-15 lead 12 minutes into the contest. The Friars tried to match Arkansas from deep, but missed all eleven three-pointers they attempted in the first half.

The particularly frustrating thing for Providence is the fact that there were plenty of chances to score inside the key. 26 of their 31 points in the first half came in the paint, and it seemed like Arkansas…