No. 23/21 Providence shot 56 percent from the field in taking a 79-58 win over Butler Wednesday night at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Rhode Island.
 
With the result, Butler is now 11-11 on the season and 3-8 in BIG EAST play. Providence improve to 16-5 (8-2 BIG EAST).
 
HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

• Providence used a 13-0 run to turn a Butler 16-9 lead into a Friars' 22-16 advantage with 8:45 remaining in the first half.
• After Butler got within two with five minutes to play in the first half, Providence closed the opening 20 minutes on a 10-2 run to take a 36-26 halftime lead.
• Providence scored eight of the first nine points after halftime to take a 17-point lead, and the Bulldogs would not get closer than 15 the rest of the way.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Providence went 30-for-54 from the field to register 55.6-percent shooting; the Friars shot 50 percent in the first half before shooting at a 61-percent clip in the second half.
• PC scored 48 of their points in the paint.
• The Friars had a 42-24 rebounding advantage.
• Bryce Hopkins led Providence with 16 points; he was one of four Friars in double figures.
• Devin Carter had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Eric Hunter Jr. led Butler with 12 points; Jayden Taylor added 10.
• Butler shot 38-percent from the field.

 
OF NOTE:

• Manny Bates returned to action for Butler after missing the last three games (knee).
• Freshman Connor Turnbull had six points on two three-pointers. He has made his last six attempts from three-point range.
• Providence won the first match-up between the two teams this season, 72-52, Dec. 29 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return home to host Seton Hall Saturday. Tickets are still available for the 4 p.m. tip at Hinkle Fieldhouse, which will also air on FS1.