Providence breezes past DePaul, 81-70

Field Level Media|published: Sat 17th February, 21:59 2024

Feb 17, 2024; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars forward Rich Barron (10) shoots against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. credits: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Carter and Josh Oduro combined for 58 points on 20-of-26 shooting as Providence cruised past visiting DePaul 81-70 in Big East action on Saturday night.

Carter was 7-for-10 from 3-point range en route to his eighth double-double of the season, tying his career-highs with 31 points and 13 rebounds.

Oduro added 27 points for the Friars (17-9, 8-7 Big East), who shot 46.7 percent for the game.

Elijah Fisher and Jaden Henley each scored 15 points to lead DePaul (3-22, 0-14). Fisher was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field.

The Blue Demons shot 50 percent in the second half, but 12 points came during a run in the final 1:32.

Oduro hit a three and scored five points to begin the Friars' opening 6-0 run. Rich Barron also connected from distance to extend the early score to 9-3, but back-to-back makes from Terry and Oden brought the Blue Demons back within one at the 13:51 mark.

DePaul hung tough throughout the half, taking a 16-15 lead on Chico Carter Jr.'s floater just after the halfway mark. However, Providence put together another 6-0 spurt that was bookended by an Oduro layup and Devin Carter's steal and transition dunk.

A Fisher layup and success at the foul line kept DePaul within one until an Oduro and-one and Devin Carter's three in the final 1:30 of the first half. The Friars' lead was 34-30 at halftime.

Fisher scored the opening second-half points from 3-point range, but Providence went on a 10-2 run thereafter that included two bookending baskets by Oduro and another Devin Carter trey.

The Friars' lead ballooned to 10 after Oduro's finish brought him to the 25-point mark with 11:17 to go. It was a part of another 10-4 run that featured back-to-back 3-pointers by Jayden Pierre within 58 seconds.

Pierre also made his mark on the assisting end as the Providence lead grew, setting up Rafael Castro for a two-handed dunk that made it 64-50 with 6:55 left.

Devin Carter finished the night with a bang, going on a personal 8-0 run that included two triples and a baseline dunk off Ticket Gaines' steal with under three minutes left.

—Field Level Media