NEW YORK, N.Y. - West Virginia held on for a 58-53 win over Providence. The Moutaineers will face Connecticut tomorrow. They finally tightened up their defense in the last few minutes, and Joe Alexander put the game away at the line. Alexander had 22 points to lead West Virginia, while Butler added 17 and 9 rebounds.

Efejuku led Providence with 12. The Friars had their chances today, but couldn't convert. That's probably why they finished 12th instead of fifth.

Late in the game, the chant of "Fire Welsh" went up from a handful of dissatisfied PC fans.

With the win, West Virginia likely locked up their spot in the NCAA tournament. They definitely would with a win tomorrow.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - We're at the last media timeout and West Virginia now leads by one after a Butler putback. Providence keeps getting to the hole anytime they want, but hitting the shot hasn't been easy. A key sequence a couple of minutes ago came when Providence missed both a layup and a tip-dunk attempt. West Virginia rebounded and beat the Friars down the floor for a layup at the other end.

The last time down though, West Virginia finally rotated on defense and took a charge on a Friar cutting to the basket. The Mountaineers will have the ball when we get back.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Providence is back up three and will go to the line when play resumes after the 8-minute timeout. The Friars have broken down the West Virginia defense and gotten to the hole five times in the last six possessions. Unfortunately for them, they only made three of the shots. That kind of defense has to have Huggins hot under the collar.

He probably doesn't like what he is seeing on offense either, which is settling for three pointers too often and too early. Of course, if they fell, he might feel differently about it.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 04:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - West Virginia is back out in front by one with 10:39 left. Right before the timeout, there was a comical sequence where Providence's Jamine Peterson missed a dunk because he was too far from the basket, but West Virginia on the runout afterwards charged to give the ball back to PC.

Joe Alexander is still carrying the Mountaineers with 16 points.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 03:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - If West Virginia had the momentum at halftime, it's gone now. At the first timeout of the second half, Providence is back up four. Both teams have picked up the intensity a notch, but West Virginia isn't hitting their shots. Da'Sean Butler also missed two free throws.

I also had the first ball of the day come my way. It occurred to me to catch and try to shoot the three from here, but I don't want to lose my credential so early in the tournament.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The stats in the first half were pretty even, which you might expect in a tight game. Providence shot slightly better from the floor (46% to 42%). West Virginia outrebounded the Friars 18-13.

West Virginia's Joe Alexander led all scorers with 10, and teammate Da'Sean Butler had 9. Providence was led by Weyinmi Efejuku (spelled just like it sounds) with 8, but he missed two front ends from the line.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - A three pointer by Joe Alexander at the buzzer tied the game at 28 at the half. Providence let West Virginia back in late because they missed free throws and let the Mountaineers get wide open under the basket. In a sense, it's a shame because Providence was the better team for most of the half. However, just like in today's first game, the team that was down in the first half used a late run to gain momentum. We'll see if the run by West Virginia has the same impact that Villanova's did.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Friars have the lead up to seven at the 8-minute timeout. West Virginia can't seem to figure out the Providence zone defense. When the Mountaineers aren't throwing the ball away, they are getting bad shots. The last two times down the floor, West Virginia's Jamie Smalligan, who, naturally, is the biggest guy on the floor, threw the ball right to Friar defenders. I'm guessing that's not how Bob Huggins drew up those plays.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - At the second timeout, Providence has a 16-13 lead over West Virginia. The Friars are in the middle of a 10-2 run.

West Virginia is another of those teams on the fence. Despite the Mountaineers' 11-7 finish in conference play, they have only one top 100 win off of their home floor. That came at #98 Providence. They swept the season series from the Friars. A loss today will make for an uneasy selection Sunday for WVU.

The mountain man mascot managed to get his musket through security, and it's good to know somebody in here is armed.

The Friar mascot is sitting just to my right with the Providence cheerleaders. He's pretty creepy looking, with a white hooded robe and a his mouth agape, as if everything surprises him. I suppose he could be surprised that Providence is winning, but he looked like that when they were losing too.

Posted by Jerry Palm at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- The Friars saved themselves a lot of aggravation by re-awakening in the latter part of regulation and overtime and go on to win, 98-89.

Efejuku led the Friars with 21 points and Xavier had 20. Tyrese Rice led all scorers with 25 points and Boston College got 24 from Raji. Efejuku was named the MVP of the game, joining Jeremy Pargo from Game 1.

Providence College winds up winning the board battle, 31-28.

. . . Tyrelle Blair fouled out with 1:38 left in OT and finished the night with six points and four rebounds in 31 minutes. Teammate Rakim Sanders fouled out with 40.1 seconds left in the OT. He had seven points, four rebounds and two assists and was hampered by his foul trouble form early on (playing just 23 minutes).

. . . Important to remember that PC is without guard Sharaud Curry, who sustained a leg injury in October. When he returns, the Friars become that much more dangerous.

. . . BC continues to press and foul, trailing by nine with 30 seconds left in the game.

. . . Two excellent games in an old-fashioned double-header at the Gahden and we were happy to be able to bring you some of the action and sights and sounds.

. . . We'll work post-game interviews and then go feed our growling stomach on our way to the much-ballyhooed 10:15 ferry. For more highlights and some grade reports from this game and the entire week of college hoops, be sure to check in at Hang Time for another edition of Office Hours on Monday. The Professor expects you there!

Posted by David Scott at 08:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Providence is rejuvenated in the overtime period as Jeff Zavier hit a three-pointer from the deep corner to give PC an 81-76 lead about a minute into the extra session. Another Efejuku three as the shot clock espired (top of the key) gave the Friars an 87-78 lead with just over 2:00 left in the game.

The Friars now lead 89-78 with 1:57 left and seem to have finally put away a game they should have won 20 minutes ago.

Four Friars are in double figures, led by Efejuku (19), Xavier (18) and Kale and Peterson with 12 each. BC is led by Raji's 24 and Rice with 19.

Posted by David Scott at 08:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- A three-pointer from Efejujku with 22 seconds left tied the score at 76-76.

Al Skinner chose not to call a timeout and Tyrese Rice missed a deep three-pointer that would have won it.

. . . So much for the 8:45 ferry. But overtime suits us just fine.

Posted by David Scott at 08:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- A three-pointer from Friar Jeff Xavier with 1:04 left has brought PC within three at 73-70.

Providence missed four straight free throws under the 2:00 mark that would have tied the game (Peterson and Efejuku, two each).

. . . The game's refs have been Mike Kitts, Bryan Kersey and Earl Walton. They have blown a combined 41 whistles.

Posted by David Scott at 08:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Boston College tied the game on two Spears free throws with 2:50 left in the game and then took the lead, 72-70, on two Rice free throws. An Efejuku turnover on the next Friar possession led to a Rice lay-up and an improbable four-point lead for the Eagles with 2:07 left in the game.

. . . Brian McKenzie fouled out for the Friars with 2:58 left in the game. He had nine points, two rebounds and an assist.

Posted by David Scott at 08:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Providence had stemmed the tide a bit but a fast-break three-pointer from Tyrese Rice cut the lead to 70-68 with 3:24 left in the game.

The Eagles are now out-rebounding the Friars, 24-22, meaning they hold a 17-8 edge on the boards in the second half.

Raji has 24 points for BC to account for all but five of the Eagles' bench points.

. . . Sanders picked up his fourth foul with 6:22 left and was replaced by Biko Paris.

. . . PC's Geoff McDermott fouled out with 4:53 left in the game, finishing with eight points, 10 assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes. It was one shy of McDermott's career-high in assists.

Posted by David Scott at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Ever since the Providence College band started with its "Let's Go Hokies" chant, Boston College has been on a ridiculous 17-1 run. Not sure if the two occurrences are related, but it sure has shut up the band and energized the Eagles. PC now leads 63-57 with 7:15 left in the game.

. . . Attendance for the doubleheader was 18,007, despite the fact that many upper bowl seats are empty and have been all day.

Posted by David Scott at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Boston College is on a 13-0 run and has cut the Providence lead to 62-51 with 9:42 left in the game. The rebounding edge for PC is now just two at 19-17.

. . . This spirited comeback could be the death knell for my 8:45 ferry. Haters.

Posted by David Scott at 07:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- This one was starting to look like the Celtics-Knickk blowout of earlier this week on this same floor. The difference is the BC kids won't quit the way the Knicks' punks did. PC leads, 62-46, with 11:44 left. Kale leads PC with 12 points and Raji has 18 for BC.

BC has gone on a bit of a run to cut the lead down -- and they are rebounding with more urgency -- but the Friars are still in comfortable control.

. . . A chant of "Let's Go Hokies" emanated from the Providence band with 13:49 left and the Friars holding a 24-point edge. That's cruel. And funny. (BC football lost 30-16 to the Hokies in the ACC Title game earlier today.)

. . . Great interior passing by the Friars, especially from the big men.

Posted by David Scott at 07:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Our new goal with the score of this game at 57-38 in favor of the Friars, is to make the 8:45 ferry instead of having to wait for the 10:15 ferry. (Yes, we took a ferry to the game and yes, we like to brag about that.)

BC is simply abysmal tonight as they continue to be out-rebounded 18-8 and are being dominated in the pain 30-20 by the Friars.

Three Eagle players have three or more fouls (Roche, Blair and Sanders) and even flashy point guard Tyrese Rice looks very human against the high-energy Friars.

. . . Rakim Sanders picked up his third personal foul less than 30 seconds into the second half and Al Skinner had no choice but to leave the freshman in with a double-digit deficit.

. . . Tyler Roche for BC picked up his fourth personal foul in the 16:00-area

Posted by David Scott at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Providence dominated the boards (14-7) and the game and heads into the half with a 49-34 halftime lead over Boston College. Both Brian McKenzie and Jonathan Kale have nine points each for the Friars and Raji has 15 points, already a career-high, for BC.

Both teams shot the ball extremely well in the first half as PC was 18-of-28 for 64 percent and BC was 13-of-24 for 54 percent. BC made just 3-of-11 from beyond the arc, while PC connected on 5-of-10 from international waters.

. . . The BC rebounding situation got so bad that Al Skinner was forced to re-insert Shamari Spears with his his two fouls.

Posted by David Scott at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- The Friars have extended to a 38-28 lead, aided by 4-of-8 shooting from three-point land and an impressive 11-4 rebounding edge over the undersized Eagles.

Corey Raji leads all scorers with 11 points for BC while PC has had eight different scorers so far.

Posted by David Scott at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Tyrese Rice hit a shot-clock buzzer beating 3-pointer from New Hampshire with under 8:00 to go to trim the Friar lead to 27-21, which is where we now stand with 7:10 left in the half.

. . . The Celtics dancers are back and have multiplied. We can't question how things like this happen, but we can thank the powers-that-be for such instances.

. . . Despite being a virtual home game for BC, the building is a LOT flatter than it was for the first game when UConn fans brought great energy to the game. Perhaps the Eagle fans are still crying in their beer over the football's loss to Va. Tech in the ACC title game?

But that should be no excuse as the building is definitely a pro-PC crowd. (Providence is only about an hour away.)

. . . Celtics President Rich Gotham just walked by the Posting Up perch and paused to say hello. He is the team's second president ever after red Auerbach. Talk about tough shoes to fill.

Posted by David Scott at 06:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- We got a bit hung up in the Gonzaga locker room with the talkative and quotable Jeremy Pargo and Micah Downs. Our apologies.

Providence is out to a 16-12 lead with 10:30 left in the half and BC has foul trouble from the get-go with both Shamari Spears and Rakim Sanders forced to the bench with two fouls each. Freshman Corey Raji has come off the BC bench to drop in six points and help the Eagles' cause.

Posted by David Scott at 06:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOSTON -- Gonzaga took the floor for pre-game shooting at about 2:45, led by David Pendergraft who was the first Zag out of the locker room. The Zags are stretching and shooting at the East End of the floor closest to the Posting Up Perch.

. . . We're blessed enough to have a stats monitor to our right but at this point they have Boston College playing UConn, which would clearly be news to the Big East office.

. . . Gonzaga freshman Austin Daye from Irivine, California is the sone of ex-NBA player (and Celtic) Darren Daye, who played at UCLA. Papa Daye logged five years in the NBA, including parts of two season with the Celts (1986-'87 for 61 games and '87-'88 for 47 games. he wore No. 20 for the Celtics, a number now worn by UConn alum Ray Allen. The younger Daye is currently leading the Zags in scoring with 14.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg in a sixth man role.

Continue reading "Zags Take The Floor" »

Posted by David Scott at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)