Providence fights its way into the Big East quarterfinals

Providence Fights Back in Tournament

Providence is ready to battle.

Just weeks after a heated matchup with St. John’s that saw six players ejected, the ninth-seeded Flyers managed to defeat the eighth-seeded Butler, 91-81, during the first round on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. They turned around a 16-point deficit and are set to face off against the top-seeded Red Storm again in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

This season, Providence (15-17, 7-13) is among the select few in the Big East to have defeated St. John’s (25-6, 18-2), notably winning at their home court. Notably, on January 3, the Friars made an impressive comeback from a double-digit deficit in the last eight minutes, leaving the crowd of over 19,000 at the Garden stunned.

The rivalry heated up during the Valentine’s Day incident in Providence, when Duncan Powell took down former Flyers star Bryce Hopkins with a clothesline. Although Hopkins retaliated, Powell also got into a scuffle with St. John’s Dillon Mitchell. Powell didn’t participate in Wednesday’s game since he was suspended for three games due to “combative conduct.”

Providence arrived at the Garden reeling from consecutive losses and with news circulating about coach Kim English’s impending dismissal after his third season. It seemed as if the Friars might be on the verge of another tournament exit for the second consecutive year, particularly as Butler (16-16, 7-13) was on a roll, showcasing a 15-point streak in the first half.

Butler’s Michael Ajayi, a first-team All-Big East player, claimed 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists by halftime. The Bulldogs initially pulled ahead, leading 27-11 midway through the first half, while the Friars found a spark from freshman Stephen Virks. Despite being under 33 percent from beyond the arc beforehand, Virks hit four three-pointers in the first half, finishing with a game-high 28 points, while Butler struggled with just one successful three-pointer for over 30 minutes.

Though the Bulldogs managed to lead 42-40 at the half, the Friars soon took control when Virks hit his fifth three-pointer with 14:25 remaining. With Ryan Mera contributing 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, the Flyers extended their lead to ten points once Ajayi was ejected after accumulating four fouls. Yet, the Bulldogs clung to a close margin, narrowing the score to 77-75 with under four minutes left.

In the critical moments, Virks scored two more baskets, marking his seventh and eighth three-pointers just as the game entered the final stages, paving the way for a rematch against St. John’s.