Bryce Hopkins tossed in a game-high 27 points to help Providence extend its winning streak to eight games by beating visiting No. 4 UConn 73-61 Wednesday night.
Hopkins, a transfer from Kentucky, made both of his 3-point attempts and was 13 of 15 from the free-throw line before he fouled out with 1:02 to play. He finished 6 of 12 from the floor and added five rebounds.
Hopkins, a sophomore forward, established career highs with 29 points and 23 rebounds in a victory over Marquette on Dec. 20.
UConn was within five points with 5:46 to play, but Providence went on a 9-0 run to take a 69-55 lead with 1:39 remaining on two Hopkins free throws.
Noah Locke added 17 points for the Friars (13-3, 5-0 Big East). Providence also received 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds from Ed Croswell plus 11 points from Devin Carter.
UConn (14-2, 3-2) suffered its second loss in as many games. The Huskies were coming off 83-73 setback against then-No. 22 Xavier on Saturday.
Jordan Hawkins led UConn with 15 points. Donovan Clingan (12 points), Adama Sanogo (11) and Alex Karaban (11) also scored in double figures for the Huskies, who shot 5 of 22 on 3-point attempts. Sanogo entered the game as UConn’s leading scorer at 17.8 points per contest.
Providence made 29 of its 35 free-throw attempts and was 8 of 18 from behind the 3-point arc. Locke, who transferred from Louisville, had a team-high three 3-pointers.
UConn missed nine of its 19 foul shots.
Neither team led by more than five points in the first half, which ended with Providence holding a 33-30 advantage. It was the first time UConn has trailed at halftime this season.
The Friars took their first double-digit lead on a Carter free throw that made it a 56-46 game with 9:04 to play.
The victory raised Providence’s home record to 9-0.
–Field Level Media
