The Friars looked shaky in possession to start the game, giving up two turnovers that would lead to fast-break points from Myles Cale and Shavar Reynolds. At 7-6, neither looked like they were going to have a particular good shooting night, but a layup from David Duke broke the three-minute scoring drought and set Providence up for a run.
After a tight opening five minute between the two sides, Providence started finding their stride from three-point range. The Friars opened the game shooting 3-for-4 from range with Brycen Goodine contributing two of those baskets as the Pirates’ mid-season defensive struggles from the perimeter continued.