PROVIDENCE — It was raining 3-pointers like Billy Donovan, Devin Carter and David Duke Jr. were still in uniform at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
All three sat baseline extended from the home bench while Providence paid them a fitting tribute against Villanova.
The Friars connected early and often from deep and never trailed throughout 40 dominant minutes Saturday evening. They snapped a four-game losing streak courtesy of a 75-62 mauling of the Wildcats, who slipped into a 22-point hole early in the second half.
Providence closed 13-for-27 from deep while honoring one program legend and entertaining a couple other alums with current jobs on NBA rosters. Jayden Pierre led four in double figures with a game-high 19 points and went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. The Friars built a 36-24 lead by the break and effectively put it away with a 10-0 run out of the locker room.
“Our backs have been against the wall, but our team never stops working,” Providence coach Kim English said. “They never stop coming in every day. They never stop believing.”
Providence avoided its first five-game losing streak since 2012-13 and maintained hopes of closing at .500 or better in Big East play thanks to a two-way effort. The Friars averaged more and conceded less than their season averages to date in points per possession. The Wildcats finished just 5-for-19 from the perimeter, bettering only a 4-for-13 showing against Lafayette and a 3-for-17 struggle against Creighton.
“I think it was the togetherness within the team,” Providence guard Bensley Joseph said. “Backs against the wall, soldiers down – just coming more together.”
There was a real buzz in the air at tip time with halftime ceremonies honoring Donovan just 20 minutes away. Providence fed the sellout crowd of 12,444 fans in attendance plenty of early energy, sizzling at 9-for-12 from the floor and 6-for-9 from deep. Joseph and Pierre connected on another pair to open a 31-17 lead, and Villanova used a timeout with 5:18 left.
“We hit a lot of threes,” Pierre said. “That always helps us and works in our favor. But defensively is where we won the game tonight.”
The Wildcats (15-11, 8-7) started just 1-for-12 from 3-point range while watching their three-game winning streak melt away. Jhamir Brickus finally connected on a second for Villanova with 8:42 to play, and by then it was too late to mount any real comeback bid. Eric Dixon was limited to 15 points on as many shots and closed a chilly 1-for-7 from deep.
“You’ve got to guard the ball,” English said. “Teams that shoot the ball great from three, it’s from the paint most times. You’ve got to guard your man and you’ve got to get to those shooters.”
The Friars (12-14, 6-9) entered just 6-5 in games they led at halftime but found a strong finishing kick in this one. Joseph dropped a pass to Pierre for a trailing wing 3-pointer and Rich Barron buried another to make it a 46-24 cushion with 15:49 left. The Wildcats went scoreless for a 7:18 period that started late in the first half and continued past the first scheduled media timeout of the second.
“Most important for our group was the start of the second half,” English said. “It’s been the biggest Achilles heel for us when we’ve had leads in the first half and relinquished them quickly.”
Christ Essandoko (illness) returned off the bench after sitting out the past two games and gave Providence a ninth available scholarship player. The Friars should have at least that many ready for a two-game road swing that starts with a Wednesday trip to Georgetown. Corey Floyd Jr. (concussion protocol) wasn’t on the bench Saturday while still recovering from a midweek motor vehicle accident, but Providence showed resilience while leaning on six primary rotation members for 30 minutes or more.
“We all feel like we lack nothing as a team,” Joseph said. “We’ve still got enough guys to go out there and compete against anybody.”
VILLANOVA (62): Enoch Boakye 1-1 0-0 2, Eric Dixon 6-15 2-2 15, Jhamir Brickus 3-8 1-2 9, Wooga Poplar 6-12 4-5 18, Jordan Longino 7-14 4-4 18, Tyler Perkins 0-2 0-0 0, Josiah Moseley 0-0 0-0 0, Jordann Dumont 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 23-53 11-13 62.
PROVIDENCE (75): Rich Barron 3-7 0-0 9, Oswin Erhunmwunse 3-4 4-9 10, Jayden Pierre 6-14 2-5 19, Justyn Fernandez 1-3 0-0 3, Bensley Joseph 5-9 5-6 17, Christ Essandoko 1-1 0-0 2, Ryan Mela 3-5 5-8 12, Eli DeLaurier 1-1 0-0 3; Totals 23-44 16-28 75.
Halftime – P, 36-24. 3-pointers – V 5-19 (Dixon 1-7, Brickus 2-3, Poplar 2-5, Longino 0-1, Perkins 0-2, Dumont 0-1), P 13-27 (Barron 3-7, Pierre 5-9, Fernandez 1-3, Joseph 2-6, Mela 1-1, DeLaurier 1-1). Rebounds – V 30 (Poplar 9, Dixon 9), P 30 (Mela 9). Assists – V 7 (Longino 3), P 17 (Joseph 6, Mela 6).
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence basketball beats Villanova basketball, 75-62, Feb. 15, 2025
