A.J. Reeves and Nate Watson each recorded a game-high 24 points.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College men's basketball team defeated the University of Vermont, 68-58, on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. With the win, the Friars improved to 9-1 on the season. Tonight marked the 500th career collegiate game for Cooley as a head coach (295-205). Senior A.J. Reeves (Roxbury, Mass.) controlled the game offensively, recording 24 points and a season-high six three-point baskets. Graduate student Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) also had 24 points for the Friars.
"Our guys are really buying into their roles," Cooley said. "Anytime you have a team that is connected on both sides of the ball, those teams usually have success for the long-term."
FIRST HALF:
Reeves knocked down a three-pointer to open the game. The Friars forced a Vermont turnover on the ensuing possession.
Watson scored on the next three possessions of the game. The Friars held an 11-5 lead at the first media timeout of the game.
Reeves added two more three-pointers and Watson made a mid-range jumper. The Friars extended their lead to double digits, 19-7.
After starting the game 4-4 from the field, the Friars made only three of their next 17 attempts.
At the 5:01 mark, Watson ended a Friars scoring drought of over six minutes. Watson drew contact and completed a three-point play less than a minute later. PC led 25-14.
Watson and Vermont's Ryan Davis each reached double figures before halftime.
The Friars led by 10 points at halftime, 30-20.
Providence shot 11-27 (40.7%) from the field, 3-10 (30.0%) from three, and 5-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line.
Vermont shot 8-24 (33.3%) from the field, 2-9 (22.2%) from three, and 2-2 (100%) from the free throw line.
SECOND HALF:
Alyn Breed (Powder Springs, Ga,) drew a steal and scored in transition to start the half.
With 13:59 to play, Reeves connected on his fourth three-pointer of the game. Reeves had two more baskets from three-point territory on back-to-back possessions before the 10-minute mark. PC led 49-35.
The teams traded baskets as the game entered its final stretch. At the 2:46 mark, Watson threw down a two-handed dunk off the feed from Reeves. The Friars maintained a double-digit lead.
With just over a minute remaining, Breed knocked down a floater to extend the lead even further.
NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS:
Providence finished 24-52 (46.2%) from the field, 6-20 (30.0%) from three, and 14-21 (66.7%) from the free throw line.
Vermont finished 22-51 (43.1%) from the field, 5-19 (26.3%) from three, and 9-10 (90.0%) from the free throw line.
Each team had two players finish in double figures.
Reeves and Watson combined for 18 of the Friars' 24 field goals.
Reeves scored season highs in both points and three-pointers made (24 and 6).
Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Al Durham (Lilburn, Ga.) had a game-high five assists.
Ben Shungu led the way for the Catamounts with a team-high 20 points.
Isaiah Powell had a team-high eight rebounds for the Catamounts.
Attendance – 5,087
WHAT'S NEXT:
In their final non-conference matchup, the Friars will take on Central Connecticut State University on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. on FS1.
The Friars hold an 6-2 all-time record against Central Connecticut State. In their last meeting, the Friars defeated the Blue Devils, 87-63, on Dec. 16, 2018 in Providence, R.I.