PROVIDENCE — There was progress for the Providence men in their second time out.
The Friars still have a fair bit to correct before facing tougher opponents, but this was better than the opening win over Central Connecticut State. Early shot selection, a willingness to attack the rim and smothering defense were more than enough to subdue Stonehill.
Providence broke this one open late in the first half and never looked back. The Friars coasted to a 76-49 victory over the Skyhawks at Amica Mutual Pavilion, an early Saturday night tip that sent the crowd of 11,027 fans on its way to a possible late dinner reservation downtown.
“Proud of some things we did,” Providence coach Kim English said. “Some improvement from opening night.”
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Jabri Abdur-Rahim netted 14 of his game-high 16 points in the first half and Wesley Cardet Jr. closed with 12 points and eight rebounds. Providence shot an even 50% from the field, dominated the glass and flashed its depth to the tune of a 39-17 advantage in bench points. The Friars didn’t particularly enjoy the 21 turnovers they committed – a number from a combined 11 players that English called “ridiculous” – but found stretches of offensive rhythm nonetheless.
“We have a lot of good players,” Abdur-Rahim said. “Everybody on our team stays ready to play and is capable of producing.”
Providence pulled away after holding just a 22-20 lead with 8:50 to play in the first half. The Friars closed on a 22-5 run, holding Stonehill scoreless for more than seven minutes and freezing them during a 1-for-12 skid from the field. Bensley Joseph’s 3-pointer from the right wing had the Skyhawks asking for a timeout with 4:43 left, but that wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
“I think just the way we finish halves is important,” Abdur-Rahim said. “We talk about that in the last media (timeout) – just trying to hunker down and get stops. That will lead to offense.”
Providence shot just 37.7% while staggering past the Blue Devils in its Monday opener, including 8-for-32 from 3-point range. The Friars were 6-for-15 from deep in the first half of this one, with paint touches and entry passes into the post creating some space outside. Abdur-Rahim knocked down a pair of early 3-pointers on feeds from Justyn Fernandez and Anton Bonke, and Cardet added a 3-pointer of his own from the right wing after Joseph ran his man into a screen on the foul line.
“Coach says all the time great shots go in,” Abdur-Rahim said. “I took two great shots – two wide-open shots – and they both went in. I kind of let that get me going a little bit.”
Stonehill (1-2) finished at just 32.1% from the field, closing 11-for-43 after a 6-for-10 start. The Skyhawks connected on three of their first four 3-pointers before making just three of their last 17. Amir Nesbitt needed 11 shots to post his team-high 12 points.
“It put some stress on our defense,” English said. “I thought our guys adjusted well. They got to sit down and guard and found a way to win.”
Providence (2-0) could have help on the way in the near future thanks to some improving health and the eventual removal of a minutes restriction on Jayden Pierre (groin). Bryce Hopkins (left knee) has started contact drills at practice, including a game of 1-on-1 with English this week. English said Hopkins was “close” and that there could be “a chance” of him returning in time to play in the Battle 4 Atlantis later this month.
“Growing,” English said. “Increasing his confidence. We had an impromptu 1-on-1 game the other day, and it was really the first live thing he did.
“It was real. On the drive home I called him and checked in, and he felt real good about it.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence basketball beats Stonehill in nonconference matchup
