PROVIDENCE – The Bulldogs have put together back-to-back BIG EAST wins to improve their overall record to 11-13. Butler won at Providence on Valentine's Day by the final score of 55-48. Caroline Strande scored a game-high 22 points and BU didn't allow more than 15 points to Providence in any quarter.
 
Butler used two 7-0 scoring runs in the first half to build a 28-19 halftime lead. The 'Dawgs led the Friars 7-2 early in the game and forced Providence into committing four turnovers over the first five minutes of action. PC shook off a 1-for-6 start from the field and used a 6-0 run to take a one-point lead at 8-7. That one-point lead would stick over the opening 10 minutes 13-12.
 
Caroline Strande and Olivia Olsen each had six points in the first quarter. The game took a turn early in the second however with Olsen picking up her third personal foul at the 7:40 mark.
 
Riley Makalusky supplied BU with their first four points of the second quarter and Butler's second 7-0 scoring run would put the Bulldogs in front 23-15.
 
Strande beat the buzzer to help the Bulldogs outscore the Friars 16-6 in the second frame. Butler made five of their last six shots in the first half while the Friars went 1-for-8 during that stretch.
 
Providence opened the second half on a 7-2 scoring run to get back within four points of Butler at 30-26. The Bulldogs proved why they are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the conference moments later to push their lead back up to 13 points.
 
Rachel Kent hit a corner 3-pointer in front of the BU bench with four minutes left in the third and Jordan Meulemans would hit from the same spot to push the lead to 10. Meulemans wasn't done as she added another triple from the left wing a minute later to give BU their largest lead of the game.
 
The fourth quarter started with Butler in front 43-34 and midway through the final 10 minutes the Bulldogs would extend that lead to 50-36.
 
The pace of the game picked up late on Wednesday night and Providence would score five-straight to get back within nine. Butler battled against full-court pressure and made clutch free throws to hang on and collect their second BIG EAST road win 55-48
 
Inside the Box Score
- Caroline Strande just missed a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds
- Strande shot 7-for-17 from the field, made two 3-pointers and was perfect from the line (6-6)
- Riley Makalusky was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 10 points
- Rachel Kent played well with nine points, seven rebounds and three assists
- Jordan Meulemans came off the bench to hit two 3-pointers
- The Bulldogs led for over 32 minutes on Wednesday night
- BU has won their last two games at Alumni Hall (63-62)
- Olivia Olsen led Providence with 11 points
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will face the Villanova Wildcats on Saturday at 4 PM.