NEW: Despite 36 Points from Duke, PC Falls to #25 Creighton 78-74
GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: Despite 36 Points from Duke, PC Falls to #25 Creighton 78-74
Duke’s points came on 12-of-18 shooting and 6-of-8 from three. He was the only Friar to score in double-figures in the game.
The loss marks the start of a tough stretch for PC as next they visit #18 Seton Hall on Wednesday, before returning home to host #14 Villanova next Saturday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTProvidence falls to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in the Big East.
Creighton improves to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big East.
PC Can’t Hold On Late
Providence held a 74-69 lead with 1:41 to play in the game before Creighton scored five straight points to tie the game at 74 with 37 seconds left.
On PC’s ensuing possession, the Friars put the ball in the hands of Duke, but he turned it over at the Creighton free throw line.
On Creighton’s next possession off the turnover, Marcus Zegarowski knocked down a three with four seconds left to put the Blue Jays up 77-74.
The Blue Jays would add free throws in the final second to escape with the 78-84 win.
Duke Leads PC in 2nd Half
After trailing by four at the half, 41-37, the Friars found themselves own 63-61 with 5:25 to play in the game.
Then Duke took over.
On PC’s ensuing possession, Duke knocked down a three to give the Friars a 64-63 lead with five minutes to play.
After Creighton retook the lead, 65-64, Duke knocked down another three with 4:17 left to play to put PC ahead 67-65.
Then with the game tied at 67, Duke knocked down his third straight three to give the Friars a 70-67 lead.
PC would lead 74-69 with 1:41 to play before the Blue Jays would rally.
PC Trails at Half
Providence got off to a good start in the game, jumping out to a 19-11 lead on a three by Duke with 13 minutes left in the half.
The Blue Jays would rally to take a 25-23 lead on a layup by Damien Jefferson with 7:35 to play in the frame, before a three from Maliek White would give the Friars the lead back at 26-25 with 6:58 to go.
The teams would trade baskets over the next minute before the game would be tied at 30 after PC’s Kalif Young got a dunk off a pass from Luwane Pipkins.
From there, Creighton would go on a quick 6-2 run to take a 36-32 lead on a layup by Denzel Mahoney with three minutes to play.
Providence would get back within one, 38-37, on a three from Pipkins with 1:14 to play in the frame.
However, Creighton’s Mitch Ballock would answer with a three of his own to put the Blue jays up 41-37 with a minute to play.
The Friars would have chances to cut into the lead in the final minute, but could not convert.
PC went into the half trailing 41-37.
The Friars launched 17 three-pointers in the first half, making six of them.
PC only shot eight free throws, compared to 13 for Creighton.
Reeves Still Out
Sophomore A.J. Reeves missed his second straight game for PC with a head injury.
Reeves suffered the injury two games ago against Butler and missed the St. John’s game earlier this week.
He did not make the trip to Creighton.
So far this season, Reeves has averaged 6. 3 points and 2.8 rebounds for the Friars, mostly coming off the bench.
He is shooting 32.7% from the field.
Next Up
PC returns to action on Wednesday, January 22 when they visit #18 Seton Hall.
Game time is set for 8:30 p.m.