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The Providence Friars have never beaten the Marquette Golden Eagles in Milwaukee. Certainly, Friartown would have expected a victory for their beloved No. 8 Friars on Tuesday night while they were riding high off on their best start since the 1970s.
Evidently, Marquette had other ideas.
Fueled by a 13-point, 10-rebound effort by Henry Ellenson who helped lift the Friars to victory with a blocked shot in the waning moments, the Golden Eagles upset the No. 8 Friars at The Dunk 65-64. A layup by Duane WIlson with 31 seconds to play put the Golden Eagles up by the slim margin. Kris Dunn, the Friar superstar, had the ball in his hands at the end but Ellenson denied him from scoring at the conclusion of the game, and that was all she wrote.
Here's what we learned from this encounter:
1. 3-point shooting could have tilted this game either way
Neither the Friars nor the Golden Eagles shot particularly well from the perimeter on Tuesday night. Both teams combined to shoot 6-for-27 from long range and Marquette only converted on 2-of-11 opportunities. Either side could have served themselves well if they even made two or three more of their 3-point opportunities tonight which could have loomed very large with only a one-point difference in the game.
2. Ben Bentil is a monster
Alright, so maybe we didn't particularly learn this TONIGHT. Ben Bentil has been doing work like this all season. His 28 points led the game on both sides and he was an impeccable 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Any other night that would have likely garnered Providence a victory. It was not to be, but Bentil's breakout continues to be a major storyline this season and is exactly why this Friar team looks so good through this point of the season.
3. Henry Ellenson is a hell of a difference maker
Another day, and another double-double for the Rice Lake, Wisconsin native Henry Ellenson. He obviously played a crucial role in Tuesday night's victory for MU and nights like these show exactly why he's being touted as a lottery pick by most if not all NBA scouts. Enjoy him while you can, Marquette fans. Nights like these should be cherished.