Providence utilized a three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation and an efficient overtime period to take an 85-75 win over visiting Butler at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Rhode Island Saturday afternoon.
 
It marked the final game of 2023 for the Bulldogs, who had their seven-game winning streak snapped. Butler is now 10-3 overall and a level 1-1 in BIG EAST play.
 
The Friars improve to 11-2 (2-0 BIG EAST).

COACH THAD MATTA: "It was one of the most unique trips I've ever had (referring to Butler flying to Providence Saturday morning), but I felt like when we got here, our guys dialed in. We got off to a horrendous start and could not make a shot. I give our guys credit; they fought, they scraped and they clawed to do what they had to do to get back in the game and have a chance to win it."
  
HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

• Butler missed their first 13 attempts from the field as Providence took a 15-0 lead to begin the contest.
• The Bulldogs shot better than 50 percent (13-22) over the next 15 minutes to climb back into the game. Eleven of Pierre Brooks II's 20 points came in the first half as Butler cut the lead to as few as two points late in the half.
• Providence led, 37-33, at the half.
• Butler's first lead of the game came at 43-42 with 15:11 remaining in regulation thanks to a DJ Davis three-pointer.
• The second half would include 11 lead changes and eight ties with neither team leading by more than four over the final 15 minutes of regulation.
• Two Davis free throws gave Butler a 69-66 lead with nine seconds remaining.
• PC's Ticket Gaines found space and hit a three-pointer off a Jayden Pierre Drive with two seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
• In the extra period, Providence's Devin Carter scored 10 points to take control of the game.

OF NOTE:

• Carter led all scorers with 24 points.
• Davis (22) and Brooks (20) led the Bulldogs; 17 of Davis's points came in the second 20 minutes of play.
• Landon Moore added 14 points, which is his season-high.
• Posh Alexander pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds for Butler, matching his career-high.
• The teams combined for only 12 turnovers in the 45 minutes of play.
• Josh Oduro (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Bryce Hopkins (12 points, 13 rebounds) each posted double-doubles for Providence.
• Providence hit 12 three-pointers on 33 attempts; seven of those came in the first half.
• Butler shot 39 percent from the field in the game; PC countered at a 46-percent clip.
• Butler went only 11-for-20 from the free throw line. Entering the game, Butler's 79.4-percent free throw percentage on the season ranked seventh nationally. The Bulldogs had shot 70 percent or better from the free throw line in every game this season prior to Saturday.
• This was Butler's third overtime game of the season, which is now 2-1 on the season in extra sessions.
• Due to a mechanical issue with the plane that was planned to transport Butler from Indianapolis to Providence on Friday, the Bulldogs stayed in Indianapolis Friday night and flew to Providence Saturday morning, going straight from the airport to the arena.   
• Providence has won the last seven match-ups in the series.

 
  
UP NEXT: Saturday's tip was the last action of 2023 for Butler. The Bulldogs will take a few days to celebrate the holidays with their family before returning to action Tuesday, Jan. 2 with a road game at St. John's. Butler's next home game is Friday, Jan. 5 against defending national champion UConn.