Second Half Surge Powers Friars Onto NIT Elite Eight

PROVIDENCE R.I. -- The Providence College Friars walked into the Dunkin Donuts Center on Monday with one win already under their belt. After beating Charlotte back on Wednesday, the Friars had home court advantage as they took on the Robert Morris University Colonials.

Though Providence was the favorite, the Colonials were coming off a big win of its own against top-seeded Kentucky. However, the Friars held on to the favoritism to defeat Robert Morris 77-68.

Courtesy rmucolonials.com

The nine point difference did not paint the picture of the performance between these two teams. If it wasn't for strong defense, key offensive plays, and determination by the home town heroes in the last four minutes of the game, the Colonials might have walked off the court with a victory.

Robert Morris quickly made their mark by jumping out to an early lead that would hold until the Friars went on a 6-0 tear to bring themselves within two. LaDontae Henton was crucial in the first half, slamming down a couple of buckets when the opportunity presented itself.

From that point forward the score remained tight. It looked as if the Colonials would head to the locker room at the half with the lead, but not until Friars' senior Vincent Council drained a three from downtown to beat the buzzer tying the game at 34.

That three-point shot proved to be the momentum changer going into the second half. Although, defense on both sides kept the second half score at 2-2 for the first three minutes.

With just about four minutes into the half, the Friars picked up their largest lead of the game. After a three point shot by Bryce Cotton, Providence led by four. Cotton would extend the lead even more with another three-point basket immediately after a time out.

It seemed as if Providence was running away with the game until Robert Morris fought back. Colonials' Karvel Anderson brought his point total to ten when he drained a shot from outside the arc bringing his team within three.

Providence extended their lead again, this time by seven points, but that didn't discourage the Colonials' play on the court. After Robert Morris inched their way back, Russell Johnson hit his third three of the game to put the Colonials back up by one.

Robert Morris held that narrow lead for the next minute and a half, but Providence regained the lead even after starting forward, Kadeem Batts, fouled out of the game.

Courtesy AP Photo via Yahoo! Sports

The lead remained in the Friars' hands for the rest of the game. Dramatic shots by Lee Goldsbrough and Cotton fueled the already motivated fan base in the arena even more. Immediately after the game Friars' head coach, Ed Cooley addressed the fans saying, "We are one of the toughest teams in America to play and it's because of you."

After the game Robert Morris's head coach, Andrew Toole, said that Providence had more precision in the game of basketball than his team. "I don't think we were detailed enough to come into this building and beat a Big East team," he said.

After being asked if his team had any fear in playing a team like the Friars, Toole said, "If you're going to step on the floor with fear, you can't play."

Cooley stated that Council was the reason for the dramatic finish, crediting his leadership and senior mentality as reasons that pushed his team through the final minutes of the game.

Cooley is proud of where his team has gotten and says, "These guys have come a long way, a long way."

The Friars will now head to Waco, Texas to face second-seeded Baylor in the NIT Elite Eight. The game is set for 9 p.m. eastern time on Thursday and can be watched on ESPN2.