PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Devin Vanterpool scored 21 points and the Providence Friars beat Bryant 78-55 on Tuesday night, Nov. 10, in Providence, moving the team to 2-1 on the season.
Vanterpool, who also had four rebounds, four steals and two assists, was one of three Friars in double figures. Malik Mack scored 19 with three assists, and Miles Byrd filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven boards, five assists and four steals. Newcomer Clyde Walters, in his first college game, chipped in nine points and six rebounds.
Providence took control in the first half, when Byrd scored eight straight points to make it 12-6 and a 12-0 run, capped by a Vanterpool three-pointer and two free throws, stretched the lead to 32-18. The Friars went to the locker room ahead 38-25 after a defense that pressed Bryant into 17 turnovers in the half.
After halftime Vanterpool hit the opening five points, and Mack, who scored 17 of his 19 after the break, closed it out with eight in a row, including two three-pointers, for the game’s biggest margin, 72-51 with 3:16 left. Bryant did cut the deficit to 53-42 on a 9-0 run, but Providence answered right away.
The Friars won the numbers that mattered: 44-24 in points in the paint, 17-5 in fast-break points and 22-14 in points off turnovers, with 20 assists on 30 made baskets and a 35-29 edge on the boards. Providence shot 48.4 percent from the field. Bryant, which was led by Duane Thompson’s 15 points, shot 40.4 percent and committed 25 turnovers.
Head coach Bryan Hodgson said he was happy with the result but not satisfied, adding that the team has plenty of work left. Providence next hosts Colorado at Amica Mutual Pavilion on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m.
Section: More Providence RI sports news
Filed under: Providence RI Sports News
