Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Pitt (Exhibition) on October 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Men's Basketball
at Pitt (Exhibition)
2:00 p.m.
Providence College Athletics
Tuesday, November 6
Providence, R.I.
6:30 P.M.
Providence College
77
vs
67
Siena
Photo by: Ryan Feeney
Men’s Basketball Defeats Siena In Season Opener, 77-67
11/6/2018 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
A.J. Reeves sets the scoring record for a PC freshman in the opening game with 29.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College men's basketball team defeated the Siena Saints, 77-67, in both teams' season opener on Nov. 6 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Junior Alpha Diallo (New York, N.Y.) finished with a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) while A.J. Reeves (Roxbury, Mass.) broke the scoring record for a Friar freshman on opening with 29 points on a 10-13 shooting performance.
The Friars started two true freshmen in their season opener for the first time since the 1999-00 season, Providence's own David Duke (Providence, R.I.) and Reeves started in the backcourt accompanied by Diallo, junior Kalif Young (Vaughan, Ontario) and RS senior Isaiah Jackson (Gainesville, Fla.).
Reeves led the Friars offense, breaking the record for most points in a game by a freshman in their season opener since Gerard Coleman who scored 17, Reeves broke the record with over 15 minutes left in the second half. He was also the first player since Bryce Cotton in 2012 to hit seven threes in a game.
The freshman produced early as the Friars' first possession consisted of a missed three by Duke that was tipped in by Reeves. Reeves came right back and hit a three in the corner, followed by a three from Diallo and another by Reeves making three out of the Friar's first four baskets from three-point range. Reeves scored eight out of the first 11 points for the Friars and finished the first half with 16 points.
Providence's press break was on and off throughout the half, Siena forced seven turnovers while the Friars converted easy threes and layups when they split the pressure. Sophomore Nate Watson (Arlington, Va.) came off the bench and produced instant offense after slamming home a put-back dunk at the 10:29 mark.
Jackson capped off an 11-1 run in the span of 2:27. Jackson hit back-to-back threes to give the Friars a 33-23 cushion. Siena could not convert at the other end of the floor, going 4:28 without making a field goal before Sloan Seymour hit a corner three. The Friars ended the half shooting 10-16 from three-point range (62.5%) and 19-29 from the field (65.5%) giving them a 50-34 lead. The trio of Diallo, Jackson, and Reeves converted all 10 three-pointers.
Siena hit four out of their first five shots from three-point range to start the second half, cutting the lead to nine. Reeves answered the Saints' offense, shooting 3-4 from behind the three-point line to halt the comeback, he finished with 13 points in the half.
Siena shot 8-16 in the second half from three, Kevin Degnan brought the lead to single digits with 5:53 left in the game, 68-59. With under seven minutes left to play the back and forth half continued, both teams shot a combined 8-9 until the final media timeout at the 2:27 mark. Diallo corralled a clutch rebound with 2:41 left in the game, Maliek White (Richmond, Va.) missed a three from the right corner before Diallo grabbed the rebound and went up for a basket and the foul.
Diallo finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for his double-double. Providence had four players in double figures including Jackson, Reeves, Diallo, and Watson. Both teams failed to score in the final 2:41 of play to complete Providence's 77-67 win over Siena. Siena failed to score a fast break point all game while Providence converted 10. Providence outrebounded Siena, 77-67.
Siena was led in scoring by freshman Sloan Seymour who scored 15 points on 5-9 shooting from three-point range.
Providence will travel to Annaplois, Md. to take on Wichita State in the Veteran's Classic on Friday, Nov. 9. The game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network at 6:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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