PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence College wrapped up its preseason with another lopsided win over an ACC visitor, pulling away from Georgia Tech in the second half for a 101-73 exhibition victory Saturday afternoon at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.
The Friars never trailed in front of 4,733 fans, a week after they handled Pittsburgh 87-64 on the same floor. Georgia Tech went the final 4:47 before halftime without a point, and Providence turned a sloppy start into a 71-45 lead midway through the second half with a run of transition baskets, including dunks by Javon Bardwell.
Miles Byrd, a senior, set the pace at both ends. His 19 points were the most of anyone on the floor, and he also grabbed six boards, made three steals and blocked two shots. Gavin Hightower scored 16 with five assists, Ryan Mela and Leonardo Marangon had 14 apiece, and Jacob Bannarbie went 5-for-5 from the field for 11 points, giving the Friars five players in double figures.
Providence dominated the hidden numbers too. The Friars scored 50 points in the paint to 28 for the Yellow Jackets, turned Georgia Tech mistakes into a 23-6 edge in points off turnovers, out-rebounded the visitors by 15 and got 34 points from their bench.
Coach Bryan Hodgson said he was proud of the effort but that the team still has work to do before the season opener. Providence played again without Devin Vanterpool and Ryan Sabol.
Providence also pulled down 11 of its 17 offensive rebounds after halftime and scored 18 second-chance points. The Friars, ranked 39th in the preseason KenPom ratings compared with 101st for Georgia Tech, open the regular season, the 100th in program history, against Maine on Monday, Nov. 2.
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