Box Score

Providence used a late rally and 9-of-19 shooting from behind the arc to defeat #22/21 Butler, 71-65, Saturday afternoon in Rhode Island. Providence improves to 15-11 with the win.
 
Butler led for much of the game and held its last advantage at 51-50 with seven minutes to play. Providence hit free throws down the stretch as Butler was held scoreless from the 2:28 mark until a Kethan Savage three-pointer with eight seconds to play.
 
"Providence beat us in a lot of areas today," said Butler coach Chris Holtmann. "They got to some loose balls late in the game that were a big difference. We'll learn from this and move on."
 
Butler falls to 19-6 overall and 8-5 in BIG EAST play.
 
Nate Fowler led Butler with a career-high 19 points, making seven of his nine attempts from the field. Savage had 13 and Andrew Chrabascz added 12 points. Kamar Baldwin pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds.
 
The offense increased in the second half after both teams shot just over 30 percent in the first 20 minutes. Both teams made more than half their shots after the Bulldogs took a 25-23 lead into the break.
 
Providence made nine three-pointers, which keyed the win.
 
"Our defense wasn't good enough to carry us in this game," said Holtmann. "We had some breakdowns. As coaches, we'll find a way to put our guys in better positions."
 
Alpha Diallo led PC with 15 points. He was one of four Friars in double figures.
 
Butler shot 41 percent in the contest compared to 44 percent for PC.
 
The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday (Feb. 15), hosting St. John's at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The 8:30 p.m. tip will air nationally on FS1. Tickets remain available for the contest. Butler will look to avenge a 76-73 loss to the Red Storm Dec. 29 in Queens.