History was made at Amica Mutual Pavilion on Wednesday night, and no it wasn’t the Friars allowing an opposing player to get their career high. Well, Finley Bizjack did actually tie his career high but that’s beside the point…
It was the first time in the history of the Big East that two games between conference foes went to double overtime in one season. This time it was the Friars getting revenge for their 110-113 loss in 2OT at Hinkle Fieldhouse back on December 13th with a 97-87 2OT in at the AMP. It was truly a gritty performance for the Friars, who were missing five players going into the game, had Stefan Vaaks leave the game with injury, and had Oswin and Jamier Jones foul out. In a season full of close loses, including four in overtime, the Friars executed down the stretch and made the plays to win the game.
How about that Nilavan Daniels three ball?!
Jaylin Sellers Career Night– Jaylin Sellers went off in this one with a career high 36 points on 11/20 from the floor and 6/12 from three. Sellers got hurt in the game, and they even had to sub him out on defense to give him rest. Yet Sellers kept making big shot after big shot and relentlessly attacked the rim. After the game Jamier Jones posted a photo of Jaylin holding a ball for his 1500th point, and he looked thoroughly exhausted. He left it all out on the floor in this one and the Friars needed every bit of it.
BOC: These are the type of games where a leader is born, and it is probably safe to say this is a team led by Sellers moving forward.
Providence/Butler Free Throw Woes- The Friars lead the Big East and are 19th nationally in free throw percentage, but they didn’t show it in this one. The Friars missed 13 free throws in this game and were 26/39 overall, which is good for 67%. The missed a few crucial 1-and-1 attempts, and Vaaks split two pairs in critical junctures of the game. Luckily for the Friars the misses from the Bulldogs were just as plentiful and way more meaningful. With the game tied at 73 with 1.3 seconds left in regulation Finley Bizjack got stuck in the lane with Oswin guarding him and was gifted a horrific foul call from Kip Kissinger and crew. Bizjack is an 80% career free throw shooter and all he needed was one make to essentially win the game. As the old basketball adage goes, BALL DONT LIE! Bizjack missed both free throws and the game went to overtime where Butler would miss their next three free throw attempts in the first OT frame.
Stefan Vaaks Extends #TheStreak– Going into tonight Stefan Vaaks scored in double figures in each of the 22 games the Friars have played this season. He is the first freshman to have such a streak in the Big East since Carmelo Anthony, who would reach double figures in every game he played collegiately. Vaaks got it done pretty quickly in this one and finished with 20 points.
It wasn’t his best game as he only shot 4/15 from the floor and took some ill-advised three-point shots, but the streak lives on. It may be in jeopardy however as he left the game in overtime with an injury and did not return. It will be something to monitor when the Friars play DePaul on Saturday.
BOC: Vaaks needs to play a more team oriented style of basketball. He’s trying to get “his” too frequently, and it is to the detriment of his team. There needs to be some tough love by English to Vaaks after this one. He forced too many shots and was way too sloppy with the ball. His ceiling is sky high, but he’s not playing winning basketball right now.
What’s Next
Obviously, it has been a rough season. All season long the Friars have been in close games and failed to execute late. The win Wednesday night only pushed their record to 10-13 (3-9) on the season and isnt going to help the at-large chances that dont exist.
One thing you can say about this team though is that for the most part they haven’t quit. They keep fighting and that was on display in this game. Hopefully this win can propel the Friars to get a little momentum as they wrap up their season and head to the Big East Tournament.
Go Friars