The Providence Friars’ great season comes to an end, thanks to a college basketball blue blood. (Photo Courtesy: www.sports.mynorthwest.com).
CHICAGO- The Providence Friars had their magical season come to an end thanks to a 66-61 defeat by the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The Friars got off to a rough start in the first half, shooting just 1-16 from three-point land and 4-26 from the field. Providence did not make their first three pointer until there was only 1:55 left in the first half when Al Durham knocked down a trey from the left wing. The Friars were fortunate to only be down nine at halftime.
In the second half the Jayhawks lost a step as Providence erased a 13-point deficit early in the second half to take a 48-47 lead. However, this wound up being the friars’ only lead of the game. Following an offensive foul against Providence, Kansas went on a 7-0 run as that would decide the game since the Friars’ offense was out of sorts the rest of the way down the stretch.
Kansas becomes just the second team to beat Providence by single digits this season. The only other team to do this was the Villanova Wildcats both times they met this year.
The Friars were led by Al Durham with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Jayhawks were led by Remy Martin who had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
“I thought our men competed at an elite level,” Friars’ head coach Ed Cooley said after the game. “It was a great college basketball game.”
“It’s tough. This is the most connected group I’ve ever been around. This was a special, special, special group. I thought we played our hardest right to the end.”
“Coach told us in the locker room at halftime just to be confident,” Friars guard Al Durham explained. “Come out early, use all the confidence you have and make plays. I think that’s what we did.”
Kansas now advances to the Elite Eight as the only remaining one-seed in the tournament and will face the University of Miami Hurricanes on Sunday at 2:20pm for the right to go to the Final Four in New Orleans.
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