Oklahoma Pulls Away from Providence in the Second Half in Norman

There was a period in the second half in which it seemed like Providence might overcome an opening 20 minutes in Oklahoma in which they started the game down 12-0 and later gave up another 8-0 run.

Those types of runs, on the road against a top 25 team, are typically a formula for disaster, but the Friars entered the half down just 35-31, thanks in large part to Devin Carter. Carter scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in Providence’s 72-51 loss to Oklahoma in the first half, ripping off a personal 11-0 run to make it a 12-11 game early.

Carter’s energy and defensive prowess (5 blocks) were nearly enough to overcome an off night from Bryce Hopkins (4-11 from the field, 0-4 from 3, 4 turnovers) and getting virtually nothing from the rest of the backcourt.

Behind Carter, and a second half outburst from Josh Oduro, Providence ripped off a 9-0 second half run to turn a 39-31 deficit into a 40-39 advantage, but the Sooners outscored PC 33-11 to close out the game and take an easy victory.

There were a number of things that went wrong for the Friars, but OU’s work on the offensive glass killed them — not only statistically, but the timeliness with which they came up with a loose ball and put-back. Oklahoma decimated Providence on the backboard (40-23) and held a 10-1 advantage in offensive rebounds, and a 16-2 edge in second chance points. For a coaching staff that prides itself on how they teach defensive rebounding, Tuesday night in Norman had to have stung.

It was as if every preseason concern for this club made an appearance on Tuesday.

PC’s young point guards looked… young. Jayden Pierre and Garwey Dual shot a combined 1-10 from the floor, with their only two points combined coming via a Pierre layup with the Friars down 20 in the final three minutes. Pierre had a difficult time handling the Oklahoma pressure early in the game, and the Friars had seven turnovers in the game’s first eight minutes. Providence was essentially playing uphill all night from there.

Providence, a team filled with capable shooters, but perhaps no great ones, went 1-12 from beyond the arc in the second half, and finished 5-23 (21%) from three. With shots not falling, and next to no second chance opportunities, Providence managed just 20 second half points.

Still, Providence led 42-41 before Oklahoma ripped off a 24-4 spurt in the second half to put this game away.

For a team that started 7-1 on the season and began receiving AP Top 25 votes last weekend, the Friars had an opportunity to make a statement. Instead, they looked overmatched and out of sorts.

Beside Carter (17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4-9 from 3) and Oduro (7-11 shooting for 15 points with 5 assists and 6 boards), the Friars got little production elsewhere.

Hopkins scored eight points, and finished with more turnovers (4) than rebounds (3). PC’s other starting forward, Ticket Gaines, took just two shots (missing both) and had two rebounds, while Rafael Castro played three minutes in the first half and wasn’t called upon again.

If there was a bright spot outside of Carter and Oduro it was freshman Rich Barron, who finished with seven points in just 14 minutes of action on 3-5 shooting (1-3 from three). The 6’5 wing seems to be gaining confidence with each passing outing, and Tuesday was another step forward.

Providence closes the non-conference schedule against Brown (Dec. 10) and Sacred Heart (Dec. 16) before opening league play against Big East favorite Marquette at home.

The Friars will likely enter the Marquette game with a 9-2 record through 11 games. However, they will have to wait until the Big East opener on Dec. 19 to make the statement they hoped to make this Tuesday in Oklahoma.