Providence, RI (Sports Network) - Tucker Halpern drained a 3-pointer with
eight seconds to propel the Brown Bears to a thrilling 69-68 decision over the
Providence Friars in a non-conference battle at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
Halpern finished with a team-best 28 points to pace Brown (4-6) as it snapped
a three-game losing streak with the upset. Sean McGonagill contributed 13
points and five assists while Matt Sullivan tallied 12 points. Cedric
Kuakumensah and Rafael Maia both made an impact on the glass as they grabbed
12 and 11 rebounds, respectively.
The Friars (8-4) were unable to pick up the win despite a career-high 37-point
performance by LaDontae Henton. Kadeem Batts added 10 points, but Vincent
Council went 1-of-8 from the floor to produce six points and nine assists in
his first appearance since being sidelined with an injury five minutes into
the season opener.
Providence closed out the opening half on a 7-0 run to take a 34-31 lead into
halftime. The Bears knocked down 41.4 percent of their field goal attempts in
the first half, but the Friars knocked down 46.2 percent from the field and
assisted nine of their 12 makes to build the slight edge on the scoreboard.
Brown faced a 67-60 deficit with just under two minutes remaining, but
Providence only scored one more point the rest of the way. McGonagill narrowed
the Friars' lead to four points by connecting on a 3-point attempt with 45
seconds left in regulation before finding Halpern for another make from
distance on the Bears' next possession. Brown fouled Council, who made his
first free throw to put Providence up 68-66 and set the stage for Halpern's
game-winning triple. Council missed a shot from deep on the visitors' final
possession.
The Bears managed to come out on top despite converting only 4-of-12 attempts
at the charity stripe in the contest. The loss snapped Providence's five-game
winning streak versus its crosstown rival.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network