The rematch was a mismatch.
A week after beating Providence, the Butler Bulldogs were held to three points over the closing 10 minutes of the first half and lost to the Friars 71-55 Wednesday night in Big East basketball at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I.
David Duke scored 22 points and Nate Watson 18 for Providence (3-1, 7-3). The Friars shot 58% against Butler, which is among the nation’s lowest-ranked teams in field goal defense.
The Friars have not lost at Alumni Hall since December 1971, although their regular arena is the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Butler (1-2, 2-4) is 1-4 since returning from a COVID-19 pause and 1-3 without Aaron Thompson, who missed his fourth straight game with a knee sprain.