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INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs will tip-off the New Year on Thursday afternoon with a 1 PM matinee at Providence. Butler was originally scheduled to host DePaul, but the conference office announced multiple schedule changes on Jan. 6.
Scouting Providence
The Friars have earned conference wins over Butler and St. John's this season, but are 2-3 in league play at the start of 2021 with setbacks coming to Marquette, Xavier and most recently Seton Hall. Forward Mary Baskerville leads the team with a 14.2 scoring average. The junior is also pulling down a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game. She is one of three Friars to average double digits in the scoring column along with Kyra Spiwak (12.5) and Alyssa Geary (10.1).
Downtown
Butler made a season-high nine 3-point field goals in the setback at Georgetown. That total topped the previous high of seven set against Providence in the season opener, and then matched vs. Michigan. In order to win at Providence, Butler will need to defend the 3-point line. The Friars hit 12 3-pointers at Butler on Dec. 5, shooting 52.2 percent from behind the arc. BU is last in the BIG EAST in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.408).
D Up
Butler struggled defensively in 2020, allowing 77.5 points per game to opponents. That average is 15.7 points higher than last year. BU allowed 73 points to Providence in the first meeting. Compare that scoring total to last season when BU limited PC to just 47 points in their own gym and 42 points at Hinkle Fieldhouse. On the other side of the coin, Providence ranks third in the BIG EAST in scoring defense (61.6). When the Friars hold their opponent under 55 points they are 4-0. Butler is averaging 48.0 points per game.
Watch BEDN on FloSports
Mike Mancuso and Pam Roecker will call Thursday's BEDN game on
FloHoops.com.
All-Time Series vs. Providence
The Bulldogs are 11-4 all-time against Providence. The last four contests have been decided by single digits. BU swept PC in 2019-20 with a 50-47 win at Alumni Hall followed by a 51-42 decision at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The 'Dawgs bounced back nicely after being swept by the Friars in 2018-19. Providence snapped a nine-game BU winning streak with a triple overtime win on Jan. 18, 2019. PC would then travel to Indianapolis and leave with a 66-63 single overtime win a month later.
Last Meeting vs. Providence
Providence shot 76 percent from the field in the first half at Butler to open up a 49-24 halftime lead. The Friars only missed two shots in the second quarter (12-14), and went 8-for-8 from behind the arc. Kyra Spiwak got hot from 3-point range and would knock down seven of her eight triples over the opening 20 minutes. She ended the game with 28 points in just 30 minutes of action. Mary Baskerville posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds and the Friars bench would outscore Butler's reserves 22-5.
Building Chemistry
Butler has used four different starting lineups over the first four games of the season.
Okako Adika and
Upe Atosu are the only 'Dawgs to start in every game.
Genesis Joins The Rotation
Genesis Parker (shoulder) is set to make her season debut for the Bulldogs on Thursday afternoon. Parker started in 29 games for Butler a year ago, averaging 9.0 points per game. Parker recorded five points, three assists and a career-high five steals the last time she played against Providence (2/23/20).
Last Game
Butler was limited to just seven active players in the Georgetown contest that ended with the Hoyas claiming a 56-45 victory. All seven players hit a 3-pointer in the first half to give BU a 35-31 advantage at the break. Georgetown outscored Butler 25-10 over the final 20 minutes to secure their first win of the 2020-21 campaign.
Adika Has Been Awesome
Okako Adika has been the best player on the court for Butler over the first four games of the season. The Odessa transfer leads the team with a 15.3 scoring average and accounts for 31 percent of Butler's overall scoring this season. She scored 29 points in her Butler debut vs. Providence and nearly notched a double-double at Georgetown with a team-high 11 points and a season-best nine rebounds.
Dowell Dials In
Tenley Dowell scored a season-high nine points at Georgetown. She logged 25 minutes of playing time and knocked down a career-high three 3-point field goals. The redshirt-freshman is trending in the right direction as she continues to progress back to full game participation. Dowell suffered a season-ending knee injury at the start of last year and was limited to just one game.
Dawn's Best Game as a 'Dawg
Annilia Dawn is coming off her best performance as a Bulldog. The transfer jumped into the starting lineup at Georgetown and set new season-high totals in minutes played (34), rebounds (5), points (3), and assists (2).
Up Next
Butler will play at St. John's on Saturday, Jan. 9. The contest in Queens will feature a 2 PM tip on BEDN. The Providence game signals the start of four games in just seven days for the Bulldogs. Home games are coming up on the schedule vs. Seton Hall and Georgetown.
