The Providence Friars came extremely close to pulling a major upset on Saturday afternoon after closing an seven-point deficit to one with 56 seconds left. However, a desperation Vincent Council three-pointer clanged off of the rim as time expired, giving the Marquette Golden Eagles a 82-79 victory.

The Friars (12-11, 4-7) got off to a hot start in the game, jumping out to a quick first half lead. Jamine Peterson and Bilal Dixon, who both had double-doubles, controlled the paint and prevented the Golden Eagles from creating any form of momentum. Sharaud Curry, who had 23 points for the game, went 2-4 from three-point range in the half, all leading to a four point Friar lead at the break.

However, once the second half started, it seemed as if the Golden Eagles would take control. Hayward, who scored 28 points on the game, began to heat up from behind the three-point arc, netting 5 treys. The other Marquette athletes also began to get warm and start hitting some open shots. They eliminated the point differential and then worked on a lead of their own, climaxing at an seven-point gap with 2 minutes left. However, after Vincent Council got to the free throw line at the next possession, the comeback began to materialize.

Council hit his first free throw, but then had the next one bounce off the rim. Curry hustled to the ball and then shot a fade-away three, cutting the Marquette lead to three. Then, on the ensuing inbounds pass, Marquette guard Darius Johnson-Odom threw the ball to Council, who fed Peterson an alley-oop slam. The Friars had a chance to take the lead seconds later after the Golden Eagles turned the ball over due to a five second violation. However, Marshon Brooks was blocked from behind going to the rim by Hayward and that spelled doom for the Friars.

For the game, Peterson was the leading scorer for the home team with 28 points. Dixon chipped in 13 points and 14 boards. Hayward was joined in double figures for the Golden Eagles by Odom, Jimmy Butler, and David Cubillan.

The Friars will next play a top 10 team in the #8 Georgetown Hoyas at home Tuesday night. This starts a brutal four game stretch that includes games against Villanova, Syracuse and West Virginia. However, the team played well today, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this type of intensity against the higher caliber of competition that they are to face in their upcoming schedule.

- Ethan Hammerman

Coach Buzz Williams praises the tenacity of his players after his team’s victory over the Friars Saturday afternoon.

Coach Buzz Williams complements the Friars’ good guard play after Sharaud Curry and Vincent Council combined for 32 points against his Golden Eagles squad.

Coach Buzz Williams makes a crack about his hair after Marquette’s 82-79 victory over Providence.