In a scene that mirrored Providence’s loss to Rhode Island two years ago, turnovers and a lack of execution were to blame in the PC’s return to the Ryan Center on Friday night.
Two years ago, the Friars turned the ball over 21 times. They missed over half of their free throws and made just four 3-pointers. Providence’s upperclassmen were relative no-shows in 2017, as pair of youngsters led a charge back from an 11 point halftime deficit. That team managed to get to within three points on several occasions in the second half, but could not muster the energy to overcome both the deficit and a hungry Ryan Center.