Providence College Athletics
Providence College
Connecticut
Game Notes vs. Top-Seeded Connecticut - BIG EAST Quarterfinals
3/8/2024 3:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball
No. 9 seed Friars face top-seeded Huskies on March 9 in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals.
GAME INFORMATION VS. CONNECTICUT Â | Â MARCH 9 Â | Â BIG EAST QUARTERFINALS Â | Â MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Game Notes (PDF)
Television: FS1
Live Stats
FRIARS ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS OF BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... The Providence College Friars earned the No. 9 seed in the 2024 BIG EAST Tournament and defeated No. 8 seed Butler in the First Round, 75-60, on March 8 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Providence advances to the Quarterfinals to face top-seed ninth-ranked UConn at Noon on Saturday, March 9.
PROVIDENCE ALL-TIME IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... The Friars are 23-35 all-time at the BIG EAST Tournament, and have posted a 15-26 mark all-time versus the league's current membership.
FRIARS ALL-TIME AS THE NO. 9 SEED... The Friars improved to 2-4 record all-time as the No. 9 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament with its 75-60 win over Butler in the First Round on March 8. The Friars' only other win as the No. 9 seed came against No. 8 seed Syracuse (80-66) during the First Round in 1995.Â
FRIARS VS. HUSKIES IN BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... The Friars and Huskies have met six times in the BIG EAST Tournament. UConn leads the series in tournament play, 4-2. It will mark the first post-season meeting between Providence and UConn since March 4, 1995. One of the Friars' two victories in the series helped Providence claim the program's lone BIG EAST title. On March 5, 1990, Providence defeated Connecticut, 82-61, in the BIG EAST Championship Game in Storrs, Conn.
FRIARS AND HUSKIES ALL-TIME... Providence and UConn have met 68 times during the history of the two programs. The Huskies lead the all-time series, 47-21, including victories in each of the last 35 game.
LAST TIME PROVIDENCE DEFEATED CONNECTICUT... The Friars last defeated UConn on March 7, 1993. On that day, Providence claimed an 87-73 victory over the Huskies to advance to the Championship Game of the BIG EAST Tournament in Providence, R.I.
OLIVIA OLSEN NAMED TO ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM... Olivia Olsen was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team on Thursday, March 7. It marks the first post-season honor of Olsen's career. Olsen is one of 23 Friars to have claimed All-BIG EAST honors a total of 36 times during the program's 50-year history. Olsen leads the Friars and ranks among the BIG EAST leaders in eight statistical categories, including scoring (13th, 14.0 ppg), rebounding (3rd, 8.7 rpg), blocked shots (2nd, 1.7 bpg), field-goal percentage (5th, 0.533), offensive rebounding (4th, 2.8 orpg), defensive rebounding (3rd, 5.9 drpg), double-doubles (2nd, 11) and double-digit rebounding games (3rd, 12). She played 30 of the Friars' 31 games and paced the team in scoring 18 times and rebounding on 19 occasions. Olsen currently ranks 22nd all-time at Providence in career rebounding, with 620 boards (92 career games). She also has accumulated 948 career points as a Friar and is 52 points shy becoming the 38th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
KATHY FIN HILL '84 TO BE HONORED AS A BIG EAST LEGEND... The BIG EAST Conference announced the creation of the BIG EAST Basketball Legends Recognition Program on March 5. Each of the Conference's 11 member schools were tasked with selecting a former prominent coach or player from both their men's and women's programs to be honored at the upcoming BIG EAST Tournaments. The first class of BIG EAST Legends representing Providence College men's and women's basketball will be Ernie DiGregorio '73 and Kathy Finn Hill '84. Finn Hill is the only player in program history to be named BIG EAST Player of the Year. A tri-captain on the 1983-84 squad, Finn is one of the most outstanding athletes to ever enroll at Providence. She was a two-time Providence College Athlete of the Year and Kodak District I All-America selection. At the time of her graduation in 1984, she set 10 Friar records and finished her career first all-time in scoring with 1,942 points. Finn led the Friars in scoring and steals during each of her four seasons with the program. To date, Finn ranks second on the all-time scoring list and eighth all-time in assists (407) and rebounding (754). Member of Friar Athletic Hall of Fame. She became the first player in program history to have her jersey retired in a ceremony on Feb. 6, 2010.
10-POINT OR LESS... Eighteen (18) of the Friars' 32 games have been decided by 10 points or less this season. Providence has compiled a 8-10 record in those games, including a 5-7 mark in BIG EAST play.
DEFENSE... The Friars have held 14 opponents below 40-percent shooting from the field this season overall. In those games, they have compiled a 10-4 record. Their four losses in that scenario came against No. 10/11 Baylor and Kennesaw State at the West Palm Beach Classic (Dec. 20 -21), Georgetown (Feb. 10) and Butler (Feb. 14).Â
DOUBLE-TROUBLE... Three Friars have recorded double-doubles this season. Olivia Olsen ranks second in the BIG EAST with 12 double-doubles and owns 16 in her career. She posted seven double-doubles in BIG EAST regular-season play. Brynn Farrell is second on the team with two double-doubles, marking the first of her career. Marta Morales Romero rounds out the list of players on the roster with a double-double, having recorded the first of her career against DePaul (Jan. 3) with 12 points and 10 boards.
DOUBLE-DIGITS... Ten different Friars have reached double digits in the scoring column this season in at least one game. Olivia Olsen leads the way with 27 double-digit games. Brynn Farrell in second on the team in double-digit scoring games (19).Â
OLIVIA OLSEN RANKED AMONG BIG EAST LEADERS... Junior Olivia Olsen finished the regular-season schedule ranked among BIG EAST leaders in eight different statistical categories, including a top-five ranking in seven of those categories. Below is a breakdown of where Olsen (includes all games through regular season)
Scoring: 13th (14.0 ppg)Â
Rebounding: 3rd (8.7 rpg)Â
Field-goal percentage: 5th (.533)Â
Blocked shots: 2nd (1.7 bpg)Â
Offensive rebounding: 4th (2.8 orpg)
Defensive rebounding: 3rd (5.9 drpg)Â
Double-doubles: 2nd (11)
Double-digit rebounding games: 3rd (12)
OLIVIA OLSEN CLIMBING SINGLE-SEASON BLOCKS LIST... Olivia Olsen has recorded 53 blocked shots this season, which also matches her single-season career high. Her 53 blocks is tied for the third-highest single-season total in program history. The single-season record for blocks at Providence was set by Mary Ann McCoy in 1977-78, with 68. Olsen matched her career high in blocked shots on two occasions this season vs. Sacred Heart and Georgetown (six).
Providence College Single-Season Blocks Leaders (50+)
69 - Mary Ann McCoy (1977-78)
57 – Monika Roberts (1999-00)
53 – Olivia Olsen (2023-24)
53 – Olivia Olsen (2022-23)
53 – Mary Baskerville (2018-19)
52 – Andrea Mangum (1990-91)
51 – Mary Baskerville (2019-20)
OLIVIA OLSEN IS ONE OF TWO PLAYERS TO RECORD 50+ BLOCKS IN MULTIPLE SEASONS... Olivia Olsen became the second player in program history to record 50-or-more blocked shots in multiple seasons, joining Mary Baskerville '22. Olsen recorded 53 blocks last season and owns 53 blocks this year. Baskerville recorded 53 blocks during the 2018-19 campaign and 51 in 2019-20.
CLIMBING THE LADDER... Olivia Olsen currently ranks 22nd all-time in career rebounding at Providence with 632 boards. She recently jumped ahead of Mi-Khida Hankins '11 (602). Â
LEADING THE WAY... Olivia Olsen has led the Friars in scoring in 18 games this season and has led the team in rebounding 20 times. She has scored in double figures a team-best 27 times.
PERFECTION AT THE LINE... Brynn Farrell hit 10-10 free throw attempts in the Friars' game vs. DePaul on Feb. 7. It marked the 12th time in program history that a Friar has gone perfect from the stripe when attempting 10-or-more free throws in a game. Farrell is shooting 81-percent from the foul line overall this season (98-121). She improved to 83.8-percent in BIG EAST play (57-68), which ranks sixth in the conference.Â
BALL SECURITY... The Friars have committed 20+ turnovers in 13 games this season and have posted a 5-8 record in those contests. Providence recorded a season-high 28 miscues against UConn (Jan. 10). The Friars committed a season-low 11 turnovers against Monmouth (Nov. 22). Providence is averaging 19.2 turnovers per game in BIG EAST play and have been outscored 356-226 in points off turnovers.
OFF THE MARK... The Friars were held without a three-point field goal for the first time this season on Feb. 10 against Georgetown. Providence entered the game as the second-best three-point shooting team in the BIG EAST and finished 0-14 from deep vs. the Hoyas. It snapped a streak of 70-straight games with a three-pointer. The last time the Friars were held without a three in a game dates back to Jan. 16, 2022 vs. Seton Hall (0-11).
FRIARS' SCHEDULE FILLED WITH 2022-23 POSTSEASON PARTICIPANTS... Thirteen of the Friars' opponents in 2023-34 qualified for postseason play last season. Ten of those 13 teams competed in the NCAA Tournament, while three others earned invitations to the WNIT. Among the list of 2022-23 NCAA Tournament participants are Vermont, Iona, Sacred Heart, Baylor and five BIG EAST Conference opponents, UConn, Creighton, Marquette, St. John's and Villanova. The teams that competed in the WNIT are Columbia, Rhode Island and Seton Hall. The Friars posted a 5-11 record vs. these teams during the 2023-24 regular-season schedule.Â
FRIARS VS. RANKED OPPONENTS THIS SEASON... The Friars are 0-4 vs. nationally-ranked opponents this season, and 1-1 vs. teams receiving votes in the national polls. The Friars fell to No. 10/11 Baylor, 61-36, on Dec. 20 at the West Palm Beach Classic. Providence fell to No. 13/14 UConn (85-41) at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. and No. 22/21 Creighton (81-70) at D.J. Sokol Arena in back-to-back games. The Friars closed the regular-season schedule with a 65-42 loss to No. 10/10 UConn on March 2 at Alumni Hall. The Friars defeated Seton Hall, 51-46, who was receiving votes in the Coaches' Poll at the time the game was played (Dec. 30). The Friars dropped a 66-62 decision to #RV/RV Marquette on Feb. 3.
LAST TIME PROVIDENCE DEFEATED A RANKED OPPONENT... The Friars last defeated a ranked opponent on Jan. 4, 2023. That day, Providence took down No. 25/24 Creighton, 79-75, in Omaha, Neb.Â
TEAM CAPTAINS... Seniors Grace Efosa and Brynn Farrell and juniors Kylee Sheppard and Emily Archibald were named team captains ahead of the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Erin Batth made the announcement on Oct. 30, prior to the team's exhibition game vs. New Haven (Nov. 1).
MARTA MORALES ROMERO AND UGNE SIRTAUTAITE REPRESENT THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES IN FIBA EVENTS... Junior Marta Morales Romero (Spain) and freshman Ugne Sirtautaite (Lithuania) have each represented their respective countries in high-level FIBA-sponsored events. Morales Romero most recently competed in the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship (Jul. 29-Aug. 6) and helped guide Spain to a Bronze Medal while averaging 8.3 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. She finished second among her teammates in scoring (8.3 ppg) and shot 43.5-percent from the floor overall (20-46). Sirtautaite recently played in the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup held in Madrid, Spain (Jul. 15-23). She averaged 10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game, while shooting 43.3-percent from the field (23-53). Additionally, she scored a personal-best of 19 points on 7-10 shooting during the Round of 16 vs. Egypt (July 19) and recorded a personal-best 11 rebounds during classification play against Mali (July 22).
SARAH BANDOMA MAKES HER WAY BACK TO THE OCEAN STATE... Junior forward Sarah Bandoma played two seasons of NCAA Division I basketball at St. Francis College Brooklyn. The college announced it was eliminating its athletics programs at the close of the 2022-23 academic year, so Bandoma entered the transfer portal. The Johnston, R.I. native signed with the Friars and first-year Head Coach Erin Batth and has two years of eligibility. During her two seasons at St. Francis, Bandoma appeared in 49 games and was a member of the starting line-up 29 times. Last season, she led St. Francis in rebounding (7.0 rpg), offensive rebounding (3.3 orpg), blocked shots (44) and field-goal percentage (.491, 81-165). She chipped in 6.1 points per game.
OLIVIA OLSEN, GRACE EFOSA AND KYLEE SHEPPARD RETURNED TO FRIARS TO PLAY FOR FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH ERIN BATTH... Olivia Olsen, Grace Efosa and Kylee Sheppard entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. The trio each finished in the top four on the team in scoring and rebounding. All three players decided to return to Friartown after exploring their options and speaking to Coach Batth and her newly assembled staff. The three players combined for 43.9-percent of the Friars' scoring last season, totaling 853 of Providence's 1,942 points.
KYLEE SHEPPARD TO MISS REMAINDER OF 2023-24 SEASON... It was announced on Jan. 5 that junior guard Kylee Sheppard will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to an injury. Sheppard, a team captain, started six games for the Friars this season and averaged 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and a team-best 4.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
ERIN BATTH ERA... Erin Batth was hired as the 11th women's basketball coach in program history at Providence College on March 20, 2023. Batth arrived in Friartown with 17 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, with her most recent stops coming at NC State (2018-22) and Michigan (2022-23). She has been part of five conference championships, eight NCAA Elite Eight appearances and three trips to the NCAA Sweet 16. She also served as an assistant coach at Liberty (2017-18), Georgia State (2014-17), Tennessee Tech (2012-14) and Towson (2010-12). Batth earned her first career win as a head coach on Nov. 7 vs. Hampton (76-46).
ERIN BATTH'S PLAYING CAREER... Batth played collegiately at Clemson and graduated in 2001. She earned Second-Team Defensive All-America honors and All-ACC Second Team honors during her career. As a senior, she averaged 12.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and finished her impressive four-year career with 972 points, 722 rebounds and 116 blocked shots. She helped the Tigers to four-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and helped Clemson advance to the Sweet 16 in 1999. Batth was the first player from Clemson drafted into the WNBA, going to the Cleveland Rockers in 2001. She played professionally with Panithnaikos and Appollon (in Greece) and Migros (in Turkey). Her WNBA experience also included time with the San Antonio Silver Stars and the Sacramento Monarchs.
ERIN BATTH RADIO SHOW TO DEBUT ON 790 THE SCORE... The final recording of the Erin Batth Radio Show will air on Wednesday, March 13 from 4:30-5:00 p.m. on 790 The Score. This show was originally scheduled to air on March 6. The show was developed via an existing partnership between Providence College Athletics, LEARFIELD's Providence Friars Sports Properties and Cumulus Media Providence. The show is hosted by Mike Mancuso, who is in his sixth season as the lead the play-by-play voice of Friar women's basketball. Listen live online at: https://www.thescore790.com or tune in to 790AM. The show also will be available online via the Varsity Network app. Â
FRIARS SIGN TWO PLAYERS... First-year Providence College women's basketball Head Coach Erin Batth announced on Nov. 8 that Orlagh Gormley (North Quincy, Mass.) and Audrey Shields (Troy, N.Y.) each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence in the Fall of 2024. Gormley, a 5-7 point guard, currently attends Dexter Southfield, where she earned NEPSAC AA First-Team All-Star recognition, Patriot League Most Valuable Player and Dexter Southfield MVP honors. During the 2022-23 season at Dexter, Gormley averaged 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.2 steals per game, while recording a 2.8 assist/turnover ratio. Before arriving at Dexter Southfield in 2022-23, she spent the previous two years at Quincy High School, where she was named Boston Globe First Team Dream Team and Boston Herald All-Star accolades. Gormley led North Quincy to the MIAA Elite 8 and was named Team MVP, en route to setting the all-time scoring record at Quincy. Additionally, she was selected to play with the U-18 Irish National Team and helped the team win a Gold medal at the Four Nations Tournament in Cardiff, Wales (2023). Gormley was recently announced as a nominee for the 2023-24 McDonald's All-American Game. Gormley played AAU basketball for MCW Starz Elite. Shields, a 6-1 guard/forward, currently attends Emma Willard School. She is a three-time First-Team All-Wasaren League and two-time team captain. During the 2022-23 campaign, Shields averaged 18.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.1 steals per game. She was named Team MVP last season. In her first year with the program, she was the recipient of the prestigious Helen S. Cheel Award in recognition of athletic achievement, sportsmanship and spirit. Additionally, Shields has had the opportunity to compete with the youth German National Teams in 2019 and 2022. Shields played AAU basketball for New York Havoc and has competed in the Nike EYBL. Shields averaged 11.1 points per game playing on the prestigious Under Armour Circuit.
FRIARS IN THE POSTSEASON... The Friars last appeared in the postseason during the 2018-19 campaign. Providence's 2019 WNIT selection marked the program's 15th post-season appearance overall and first since 2010. In 2019-20, NCAA and WNIT Championships were canceled to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Friars did not qualify for postseason during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign. Complete post-season breakdown follows (records in parentheses):
2018-19 WNIT Round of 16 (2-1)
2009-10 WNIT Quarterfinal Round (3-1)
1991-92 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)
1990-91 NCAA Tournament Second Round (1-1)
1989-90 NCAA Tournament East Regional (1-1)
1988-89 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)
1986-87 National Women's Invitational Tournament (1-2)
1985-86 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)
1981-82 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)
1980-81 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)
1979-80 EAIAW National Tournament (3-1)
1978-79 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)
1977-78 EAIAW Regional Tournament (1-1)
1976-77 EAIAW Regional Tournament (2-2)
1975-76 EAIAW Regional Tournament (1-2)
FORMER FRIAR JOVANA NOGIC '19 HEADED TO OLYMPIC GAMES WITH HER NATIVE SERBIA... Former Friar Jovana (Yoyo) Nogic '19 will play in the Olympic Games this summer with her native Serbia. Nogic and the Serbia National Team earned their spot in the Paris games during 2024 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belem, Brazil on Feb. 8-11. Nogic was a two-time All-BIG EAST selection for the Friars and finished her career ranked fourth all-time in scoring (1,724 points). She is the program's most prolific shooters, setting records for career three-point field goals (323), single-season three-point field goals (93), career free-throw percentage (.909) and single-season free-throw percentage (.945). Nogic also finished her career ranked third all-time in the BIG EAST Conference in three-point field goals during regular-season league play (167). The Olympic Games in Paris are scheduled for July 26 - August 11.
