:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44301370/usa-today-8259710.0.jpg)
The Providence Friars dropped an embarrassing game at the Dunkin' Donuts Center Monday night to the Brown Bears of the Ivy League. Providence didn't really lose this game as much as Brown outplayed the Friars and showed more effort from the opening tip. It's hard to describe how Providence could sleep walk for 40 minutes after back-to-back losses, but that's exactly what happened.
Ed Cooley went with a new starting lineup for the first time this seaso,n inserting freshman Jalen Lindsey into the starting five in favor of fellow freshman Kyron Cartwright. This is a lineup many thought would eventually become the regular starting unit for the Friars. Brown weren't afraid of their Big East opponent, and the Bears led for the majority of the game. Providence missed free throws, turned the ball over, got out-hustled for 50/50 balls and got outplayed by a lesser opponent on a forgettable night in front of 4,124 fans at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
The Friars could not buy a bucket and began the game 1-of-10 from beyond the arc before Jalen Lindsey hit a pair of 3's midway through the 2nd half. Sophomore Leland King led Brown with 16 points on 7-of-16 from the field. Leading the Friars were LaDontae Henton and Kris Dunn with 16 points each. The two combined to shoot 12-of-31 from the floor. Henton added 8 rebounds on a night that he continued to struggle shooting the ball. Many of Henton's points came at the end of the game. Dunn added 8 assists but continued to struggle with turnovers, coughing up the rock 6 times.
The Bears were 10-of-24 from beyond the arc, which was the key to the victory as they were able to separate from the Friars by hitting some clutch 3 pointers.
This could be the kind of loss that is looked back on in March as a critical loss on Providence's resume. After six consecutive wins to open the season, the Friars have now dropped 3 straight. They don't have a lot of time to wallow in their misery as they welcome another in-state rival to the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Wednesday in the University of Rhode Island.