Edwards' Stellar Return Powers Providence to Victory
Jason Edwards' Triumphant Comeback and Dominant Scoring Display
In a remarkable return from a seven-game injury layoff, Jason Edwards delivered a standout performance, netting a game-high 25 points. His exceptional scoring was instrumental in leading the Providence Friars to a convincing 90-72 triumph over the visiting DePaul Blue Demons in a recent Big East conference showdown on Saturday afternoon.
Providence's Offensive Efficiency and Unchallenged Lead
Edwards' precision shooting was evident throughout the game, as he converted 8 of 13 field goal attempts, including an impressive 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Despite playing only 24 minutes, he also contributed four rebounds and two assists. The Friars maintained control from the outset, never conceding the lead to their opponents.
Key Contributions from Providence's Supporting Cast
Beyond Edwards' heroics, Providence's success was a collective effort. Jaylin Sellers added 21 points to the scoreboard, while Ryan Mela contributed 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Oswin Erhunmwunse made a significant impact with a double-double, recording 10 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. This collective strength propelled Providence to an 11-13 overall record and a 4-9 standing in the Big East, marking their first consecutive conference wins of the current season.
Friars' Explosive Offense Dominates the Court
Providence's offense, which leads the conference in efficiency, operated at a high level, achieving a 58.9% shooting percentage for the game. Their second-half performance was particularly potent, with a remarkable 65.4% shooting clip. This offensive surge allowed the home team to build a substantial 17-point lead by halftime, effectively setting the tone for the rest of the game.
DePaul's Struggle to Keep Pace Despite Notable Efforts
For DePaul, Brandon Maclin was the leading scorer with 17 points, one of three players to reach double figures. Kaleb Banks chipped in with 11 points, and N.J. Benson contributed 10 points along with seven rebounds. Despite these individual efforts, DePaul (12-12 overall, 4-9 Big East) found themselves in a challenging position, suffering their fourth consecutive loss.
Early Momentum and Establishing Control
Providence established an early 5-0 lead with an emphatic dunk from Erhunmwunse and a 3-pointer by Sellers. However, DePaul quickly responded, with CJ Gunn initiating their scoring with a midrange jumper and later tying the game at 7-7 with a transition 3-pointer at the 16:29 mark, marking the only tie of the contest.
Providence Pulls Ahead with a Decisive Run
Following DePaul's brief resurgence, the Friars tightened their defense, limiting the Blue Demons to just one field goal over the next six minutes. During this period, Providence embarked on a 10-2 run, spearheaded by Jamier Jones' three-point play, followed by a 3-pointer and a step-back jumper from Sellers, extending their advantage to double digits.
Sustained Dominance Through a Series of Runs
Despite a quick 5-0 burst from DePaul, capped by Benson's alley-oop dunk, which narrowed the deficit to 22-16 with 9:07 remaining, Providence responded with another significant run. Erhunmwunse was a force during this period, scoring eight consecutive points, including a putback dunk and a finish from an Edwards assist, securing an 38-20 lead with 3:10 left in the first half.
DePaul's Second-Half Effort Falls Short
Trailing 43-26 at halftime, DePaul started the second half strong, scoring on all six of their initial possessions, with Maclin contributing eight points during this spurt. However, Providence continued to maintain their momentum, preventing DePaul from significantly closing the gap, as the lead was only trimmed to 51-38.
Friars Extend Lead and Close Out the Game
Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones punctuated a swift 9-0 run for the Friars with back-to-back dunks in just over two minutes, pushing their lead to 62-40 with 12:25 left on the clock. Providence extended their lead to as much as 27 points before DePaul managed an 11-2 run in the closing stages, but it was too little, too late to alter the outcome.