Friars Outlast #RV/RV Butler In Triple Overtime, 74-68

PROVIDENCE, R.I.– In just the fourth triple overtime game in BIG EAST women's basketball history, the Providence College women's basketball team defeated #RV/RV Butler, 74-68, on Jan. 18 in Providence, R.I.  Jovana Nogic (Belgrade, Serbia) led three Friars in double figures with a season-high 24 points, while fellow senior Maddie Jolin (Rehoboth, Mass.) scored 20 points and hauled in a team-high seven boards.

The Friars improved to 11-8 overall (3-4 BIG EAST), as they handed Butler its first BIG EAST loss of the season.  The Bulldogs dropped to 15-2 overall and 5-1 in BIG EAST play.

The Friars are 2-0 in overtime games this season, having previously beaten BIG EAST foe St. John's, 67-66, on Jan. 11 in Queens, N.Y. Additionally, the last time Providence defeated an opponent who was nationally-ranked or receiving votes in the national polls dates back to Jan. 27, 2017.  On that day, the Friars defeated #RV/RV Marquette, 66-64.

Friars started the game with an 11-2 scoring run, forcing a Butler timeout with 6:19 left on the clock. Providence was 3-3 from beyond the three-point arc during the run, including a 2-2 performance by Jolin.  The Friars led by as many as 12 in the opening quarter and took a 22-13 lead into the break.

Butler went on a 14-0 run in the second quarter to take a 27-25 lead with 24.6 seconds left on the clock. Providence scored just three points in the frame on 1-13 shooting. Freshman Kaela Webb (Pontiac, Mich.) opened the action with a three-pointer, but the Friars went 0-12 the rest of the way.

Providence out-scored Butler, 11-2, in points off of turnovers in the first half, while Butler used a 14-6 scoring advantage in the paint.  Jolin led the Friars with nine points.  Whitney Jennings (12) and Tori Schickel (10) each reached double figures in the scoring column, accounting for 22 of the Bulldog's 27 points.

The Friars found themselves trailing by nine (42-33) in the third quarter at the 2:30 mark. Providence finished the quarter with a 9-1 scoring advantage, capped by a buzzer-beating three-point shot by Webb.  Butler held a one-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter (43-42).

Providence mounted a four-lead on two occasions in the fourth quarter, with the last coming at 3:44 (52-48).  The Bulldogs scored back-to-back buckets to tie the game, 52-52, with 1:44 left in regulation, but Mary Baskerville (Enfield, Conn.) put the Friars ahead by two (54-52) with a pair of free throws on Providence's next possession.

Jennings managed to force overtime with a jump shot to close regulation (00:22), tying the score, 54-54.

The two teams were unable to create any separation in the first two overtimes.  Butler started the third overtime with three-unanswered points on a free throw by Jennings and a lay-up by Shae Brey to give the Bulldogs a 68-65 lead.

Providence locked in defensively down the stretch and closed the third overtime with a 9-0 scoring run. Freshman Earlette Scott (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit her lone field goal of the game on a driving lay-up with 20-seconds remaining to put the Friars ahead by four (72-68).  Nogic sealed the victory with a timely blocked shot and a pair of free throws on the offensive end.

Webb joined Nogic and Jolin in double figures with a career-high 16 points, three assists and three steals.  Scott was a force for the Friars on the boards, matching her career high with seven rebounds.  Four of her seven boards came off of the offensive glass.

Nogic and Jolin are the first Friars to hit the 20-point mark in the same game since Nov. 14, 2017 vs. Northeastern. Coincidentally, it was Nogic and Jolin who teamed up in that game as well.

The Friars return to action on Sunday, Jan. 20 against BIG EAST foe Xavier at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I.  Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) via FOX Sports Go.

- GO FRIARS! -

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Team Stats

Jovana Nogic

Maddie Jolin

Kaela Webb

Mary Baskerville

Players Mentioned

Mary Baskerville

Maddie Jolin

Jovana Nogic

Earlette Scott

Kaela Webb