PROVIDENCE — This is why Ed Cooley likes to put the costumes on his Providence College Friars.
The Friars played their first of two exhibition games Friday night and accomplished the expected in a 96-57 blowout of the Division 2 Bridgeport Purple Knights. The process of integrating a top-25 recruiting class with some seasoned veterans is clearly both well under way and a work in progress as the Friars took turns looking dominant, inexperienced, sloppy and impressively athletic on the night.
All 13 players reached the scoring column with Nate Watson (15 points, 8 rebounds), Alpha Diallo (12 points, 9 boards) and A.