Providence looks to polish off a perfect season-opening, five-game homestand Tuesday against Delaware State. The Friars (4-0) are coming off a 79-65 win over Green Bay on Saturday.
They now aim for their first 5-0 start in three years before departing for the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas next week. Second-year coach Kim English’s team has improved over the opening stretch while holding its first four opponents under 70 points for the first time since 2014-15. Notably, Providence’s turnover count decreased for a third straight game — to only six — against a Green Bay team that played without the presence of a traditional big man.
“Proud of our guys for finding a way to win,” English said. “We’re making steps in the right direction. … The turnovers, really proud looking at that. Some guys have been making some consistent plays that we want to see more of as a group.” Providence junior point guard Jayden Pierre had a particularly strong week, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists without committing a turnover over the past two games. He scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting against Green Bay. Pierre is averaging 11 points per game on the season, just shy of Miami transfer Bensley Joseph’s team-leading 12. Freshman forward Ryan Mela added a spark by averaging six points and 4.5 rebounds in two games last week.
“He’s a gamer. He’s in it,” English said. “Ryan’s on fire. … We just want more guys to be on fire.”
After losing its first two games at Virginia Tech and Columbia, Delaware State (2-2) has picked up back-to-back wins over non-Division I programs, including a 93-51 decision over Cheyney (Pa.) on Saturday. Robert Smith led the Hornets with 22 points in their latest game, while Muneer Newton scored 17 points and Martaz Robinson logged 14 points and 11 boards. Robinson averages a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds per game, having started the campaign with a 30-point game at Virginia Tech.
Tuesday marks the first-ever meeting between Delaware State and Providence. The Friars are 7-1 all-time against current teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
