PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — After more than four decades of playing in the Big East, the Providence College Friars are regular season champions for the first time.
The Friars locked up the title with a 72-51 win over Creighton in front of a raucous crowd at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center which stormed the court as time expired to celebrate with the team.
Senior A.J. Reeves led the way with 23 points, while Nate Watson and Aljami Durham chipped in 12 apiece.
The 11th-ranked Friars improved to 24-3. They’ll wrap up their season Tuesday night on the road against Villanova before heading to New York for the Big East Tournament.
“What you can never do is underestimate the fight in a group of young men, especially a group of older men that are trying to prove something,” head coach Ed Cooley said Friday. “We said we wanted to make some changes, and we did. So, whether it’s luck … I just think it’s incredible perseverance and will and want, and we’re really, really fortunate in lucky games — lucky games I’m saying, lucky games — but that luck better come from somewhere. It’s called talent.”
Sunday night is the premiere of PC Hoops with Coach Cooley, where we’ll go one-on-one with the Friars head coach to break down their big win and look ahead to the season finale. Don’t miss it at 10:30 p.m. on FOX Providence.
PC Hoops with Coach Cooley
🏀 1-on-1 with Coach Ed Cooley
🏀 “Be Them Dudes” Play of the Week
🏀 Trivia Question of the Week
🏀 Five Friar Fast Facts
