The Providence Friars weren’t intimidated by the lofty number next to Xavier’s name. Providence got hot from three-point range and overcame a major deficit on the glass to give the No. 5 Musketeers their second loss of the season, 81-72, on Saturday afternoon at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Providence upsets No. 5 Xavier for critical resume-building win
The Friars’ perimeter attack powered the upset win.
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Providence has a strong perimeter attack this season, and they proved it in this win. Point guard Kyron Cartwright was outstanding on both ends, finishing with 19 points, nine assists, four steals in the win. Rodney Bullock, a 6’8 senior forward, added 17 points and knocked down 3-of-6 threes.
The Friars also got a big lift from Isaiah Jackson off the bench, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.
Providence finished 9-of-22 from three-point range in the win. Ed Cooley’s team secured the upset victory despite being out-rebounded 44-28 on the afternoon.
This was a trap game for Xavier
A noon tip-off at Providence was always going to be tough for the Musketeers. Xavier earned that No. 5 ranking with a 15-1 start — a lone loss coming only to Arizona State before this afternoon. But with a matchup with Villanova looming on Wednesday, Xavier might have already been looking ahead.
Senior star Trevon Bluiett, who entered averaging 20 points per game, was held to only 12 points in the loss. Kerem Kanter -- the younger brother of Knicks center Enes Kanter -- finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for Xavier in the loss.
Providence moves to 11-6 in the win. The Friars have taken some tough losses to Rhode Island, UMass and Houston already this season, so this was exactly the type of victory the team needed to get back in the picture for an at-large bid in March.
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