NEW YORK — It turned out to be just a 40-minute stay at the Big East Tournament for the Providence College men’s basketball team.
The Friars left Madison Square Garden as they entered — struggling to find answers in what steadily developed into a lost 2024-25 season.
Someone had to win this opening game and take on top-seed St. John’s in a prime Thursday afternoon slot. Butler was that team after a 75-69 victory over Providence, which lost to the Bulldogs for the first time in four tries at this venue.
Mar 12, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Pierre Brooks II (21) drives to the basket against Providence Friars forward Ryan Mela (11) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Friars never led on this Wednesday afternoon, doomed after the Bulldogs authored a solid finish to the first half and a strong start to the second. Butler used a 5-0 run to take a 39-31 lead into the break and Providence used a timeout just 3:51 after exiting the locker room. Patrick McCaffrey’s tip off the weak side made it a 45-35 game, and the Friars never came closer than five points.
The Bulldogs (14-18) forced double-digit turnovers for just the fifth time in their last 22 games, enjoying a 13-6 advantage off those Providence mistakes. Pierre Brooks II stretched the Butler lead to 63-49 with a wing 3-pointer, and the Friars had just 8:03 to save themselves. Bensley Joseph led them with 20 points — including the 1,000th of his career — while Oswin Erhunmwunse added a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards.
Providence (12-20) suffered just its second 20-loss season in program history, equaling the 1984-85 campaign under Joe Mullaney. That was his second stint in charge. Mullaney had led the Friars to a pair of NIT championships and three NCAA Tournament bids from 1957-69. Rick Pitino replaced him four decades ago and was in the Final Four by the 1986-87 season.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence basketball loses to Butler 75-69 in Big East Tournament
