INDIANAPOLIS – Providence defeated Butler on Wednesday night by the final score of 69-41. Janai Crooms led the Friars to victory with 17 points. The Bulldogs were led by Celena Taborn's 14-point outing.
 
How It Happened
The Bulldogs showed a new wrinkle tonight and started the game in a 3-2 zone. The Friars still managed to score the first four points of the game, but the Bulldogs fired back with seven-straight to take a 3-point lead. Tenley Dowell broke the 4-4 tie with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The ball touched every inch of the rim before falling through for BU. That lead didn't last however as Providence punched back to score the final five points of the opening quarter.
 
Butler opened the second quarter by feeding Celena Taborn in the paint. The Bulldog forward responded with the first five points for BU, but the Friars would lead by three at the midway point 15-12.
 
Alyssa Geary hit a 3-pointer for Providence with the shot clock running out after the media timeout and Audrey Koch added another shot from downtown to put the Friars on top 21-12. Kendall Wingler stopped the scoring run with a deep three of her own to give the EKU transfer five points on the night. Sydney Jaynes also scored for Butler in the final minute of action to get BU within six, but Janai Crooms would hit a three before the half to help the Friars extend their halftime lead to 26-17.
 
Butler got the ball to Emilia Sexton after the first third quarter timeout and the senior drained a 3-pointer in front of the BU bench. Butler was outscoring Providence 10-6 early in the second half, but Koch would connect on her second 3-pointer of the night before the under-five timeout to extend the Friar lead to 35-27. Providence ended the third quarter on a 17-2 scoring run to open up a 20-point advantage heading into the fourth
 
The final 10 minutes featured more of the same action. Providence outscored Butler 11-6 over a six minute stretch and would coast to the finish line with a 69-41 victory.
 
Stat of the Game
Butler turned the ball over 22 times against PC resulting in 24 Friar points.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Celena Taborn scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
- Kendall Wingler came off the bench to provide the 'Dawgs with 10 points
- Butler outrebounded Providence 35-34
- Providence started the game 1-for-9 from 3-point range and Butler went 1-for-7.
- Butler did not commit a foul in the first half.
- Zoe Jackson returned to action for BU.
 
Up Next
Butler will host Xavier on Sunday, February 20. The game will tip at 7 PM on FloHoops.