Men’s Basketball Tops Seton Hall, 71-67, In BIG EAST Opener

NEWARK, N.J. - The Providence College men's basketball team (9-3, 1-0) opened the BIG EAST season with a 71-67 victory over Seton Hall on Saturday, December 17 in Newark, N.J. With the win, the Friars improved to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in BIG EAST play. Sophomore Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, Ill.) had his fourth double-double, recording a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt senior Ed Croswell (Philadelphia, Pa.) added 21 points and nine rebounds.

FIRST HALF:
- Noah Locke (Baltimore, Md.) started the scoring for the Friars by knocking down a jumper.
-Locke knocked down a three pointer to give the Friars their first lead heading into the first media timeout. Providence led 10-8.
-The Friars and Pirates continued to trade baskets keeping the game close.
-Hopkins scored back-to-back baskets giving the Friars a three point lead with 9:52 remaining in the half.
-Seton Hall answered by going on a 10-0 scoring run over the next four minutes extending their lead to nine. Seton Hall lead 32-23.
-At the 1:53 mark, Alyn Breed (Powder Springs, Ga.) dished the ball to Hopkins to end the Friars scoring drought.
- At the half, Seton Hall led 36-27.
-There were six lead changes and six ties in the first half.
- Providence shot 9-25 (36.0%) from the field, 3-9 (33.3%) from three and 6-10 (60%) from the free throw line.
- Seton Hall shot 14-28 (50.0%) from the field, 4-10 (40.0%) from three and 4-5 (80.0%) from the free throw line.

SECOND HALF:
-Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) knocked down three free throws to begin the half followed by Locke converting on a layup to bring the Friars within four leading to an early Seton Hall timeout.
-At the 16:40 mark, Croswell brought the Friars within one by knocking down a layup, 41-40.
-Carter scored a three-pointer to regain the lead for Providence, 45-41.
-At the 9:07 mark, Seton Hall hit a three pointer to tie the score at 51-51.
-Seton Hall regained the lead forcing a Providence timeout with 6:28 to go. The Pirates led 53-51.
-The Friars went on an 8-0 run in a minute span to gain the lead, 62-57. Croswell converted a three-point play followed by a three pointer from Hopkins and completed with an empathetic dunk by Carter on the fast break to force a Seton Hall timeout.
- At the 2:09 mark, Hopkins went 2-2 at the free throw line to give the Friars their largest lead of the game, 67-60.
-Seton Hall kept themselves in the game shortening the lead to one with 16 seconds remaining, 67-66.
-The Friars concluded the game by going 4-4 from the free throw line to secure the 71-67 win.

NOTES/HIGHLIGHTS:
- Providence finished 23-58 (43.4%) from the field, 5-13 (38.5%) from three and 20-28 (71.4%) from the free throw line.
- Seton Hall finished 24-57 (42.1%) from the field, 5-22 (22.7%) from three and 14-21 (66.7%) from the free throw line.
-The game had nine lead changes and nine ties.
- Three players finished in double figures in Hopkins (24), Croswell (21) and Locke (10).
- Kadary Richmond led the way for the Pirates in points and rebounds, finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds.
- Today's game marked the first time two players have scored 20+ points since December 7, 2021.

WHAT'S NEXT:
The Friars will host Marquette University for their BIG EAST home opener on Tuesday, December 20 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

-GO FRIARS!-

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Team Stats

Bryce Hopkins

Ed Croswell

Noah Locke

Devin Carter

Players Mentioned

Alyn Breed

Devin Carter

Ed Croswell

Bryce Hopkins

Noah Locke