Post by dex on Jan 29, 2015 20:54:22 GMT -5
www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/providence-college/content/20150129-pc-kris-dunn-run-past-depaul-83-72-as-friars-move-into-1st-in-big-east.ece
PC, Kris Dunn, run past DePaul, 83-72 as Friars move into 1st in Big East
Published: January 29, 2015 04:13 PM
The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundso
Kris Dunn goes to the hoop for two of his 27 points on Thursday. Dunn also had 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
BY KEVIN MCNAMARA
kmcnamar@providencejournal.com
PROVIDENCE — Maybe this midweek afternoon thing isn’t such a bad idea. At least it’s not for Kris Dunn.
The Providence College point guard continued his ascendant, breakout season playing before the true Friar diehards Thursday afternoon at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Sparked by a near halftime triple-double by Dunn, the Friars jumped on DePaul early and then made a ton of clutch offensive plays late to beat back a Blue Demon push to win, 83-72.
The victory moves the Friars (16-5) into first place in the Big East with a 6-2 record, a half-game ahead of Villanova.
Dunn was simply spectacular as he set career-highs with 27 points and 13 rebounds to go along with 11 assists and three steals. It was the first triple-double by a Friar ever in a Big East game, and only the 10th in school history.
“I was just taking what the defense gave me,” said Dunn, who seemingly has yet to learn how to boast. “We did a good job staying focused and getting ready to play a great team in DePaul. It was just a good win.”
Asked if he could see a triple-double effort coming this season, Dunn didn’t get a chance to answer. His coach did for him.
“Yes,” Cooley said quickly. “If you look at his last five or six games he’s been an assist or a rebound short. He’s been trending that way. It just was a matter of time. That definitely won’t be his last one in a Friar uniform.”
That may or may not be true but few efforts could top this one. In all of the triple-double games in PC (ninth) or Big East (14th) history, Dunn’s 27 points marked the highest scoring effort ever. He dominates the ball and there doesn’t seem to be a way to slow him down.
“He just may be the best player in the league,” said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell, whose team fell to 11-11 and 5-4. “Ed does a good job sending him off ball screens. He’s so good off screens, when he shoots the 3, it’s almost a relief. But today he made 3s to boot.”
PC won this game with a dominating first half. The Friars used runs of 8-0 and 17-3 to roll to a 39-18 lead. At the half, the Friars were in total control, 41-23. Dunn had more rebounds (nine) than DePaul (7) as the Friars crushed the Demons off the boards, 25-7. Dunn totaled 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the half, and PC’s defense held DePaul to 32 percent shooting.
“The first 20 minutes were, to me, the game,” Cooley said. “We played with a purpose and we had energy. Kris dictated the entire game and totally dominated the game, defensively, offensively, rebounding.”
To DePaul’s credit, the visitors showed up in the second half. Providence didn’t play with the same defensive zeal, and the Demons hit some 3s and pounded the ball inside nicely on the way to 64 percent shooting and 49 points. The Demons closed to 68-60 with 4:06 to play, but Dunn answered with a difficult 3-point shot with the shot clock at two seconds. DePaul didn’t get closer than nine points the rest of the way.
With Dunn scoring and sharing the ball so well, four other Friars scored in double figures: LaDontae Henton (12), Kyron Cartwright and Tyler Harris (11) and Ben Bentil (10).
Cartwright said that Dunn’s unselfishness “gives the whole team energy,” and he’s clearly become the catalyst after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury.
“I still think he’s just scratching the surface,” Cooley said. “Kris has a lot more development to go, but what he’s doing right now is enjoyable. I’m glad to see his work paying off. It’s great to see but if you’re part of the development and see where he came from, it’s that much greater story.”
Instead of boasting on his career day, Dunn offered a hopeful look ahead for a team that sits atop the Big East heading into a brutal three-game road swing that starts Saturday against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.
“It shows the improvement in the program since my freshman year,” Dunn said. “We’re just growing and growing. The coaching staff is doing an unbelievable job and the players are coming out and working hard every day. Right now we’re in really good position and we really are a family, on and off the court. So hopefully we just keep improving.”
PC, Kris Dunn, run past DePaul, 83-72 as Friars move into 1st in Big East
Published: January 29, 2015 04:13 PM
The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundso
Kris Dunn goes to the hoop for two of his 27 points on Thursday. Dunn also had 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
BY KEVIN MCNAMARA
kmcnamar@providencejournal.com
PROVIDENCE — Maybe this midweek afternoon thing isn’t such a bad idea. At least it’s not for Kris Dunn.
The Providence College point guard continued his ascendant, breakout season playing before the true Friar diehards Thursday afternoon at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Sparked by a near halftime triple-double by Dunn, the Friars jumped on DePaul early and then made a ton of clutch offensive plays late to beat back a Blue Demon push to win, 83-72.
The victory moves the Friars (16-5) into first place in the Big East with a 6-2 record, a half-game ahead of Villanova.
Dunn was simply spectacular as he set career-highs with 27 points and 13 rebounds to go along with 11 assists and three steals. It was the first triple-double by a Friar ever in a Big East game, and only the 10th in school history.
“I was just taking what the defense gave me,” said Dunn, who seemingly has yet to learn how to boast. “We did a good job staying focused and getting ready to play a great team in DePaul. It was just a good win.”
Asked if he could see a triple-double effort coming this season, Dunn didn’t get a chance to answer. His coach did for him.
“Yes,” Cooley said quickly. “If you look at his last five or six games he’s been an assist or a rebound short. He’s been trending that way. It just was a matter of time. That definitely won’t be his last one in a Friar uniform.”
That may or may not be true but few efforts could top this one. In all of the triple-double games in PC (ninth) or Big East (14th) history, Dunn’s 27 points marked the highest scoring effort ever. He dominates the ball and there doesn’t seem to be a way to slow him down.
“He just may be the best player in the league,” said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell, whose team fell to 11-11 and 5-4. “Ed does a good job sending him off ball screens. He’s so good off screens, when he shoots the 3, it’s almost a relief. But today he made 3s to boot.”
PC won this game with a dominating first half. The Friars used runs of 8-0 and 17-3 to roll to a 39-18 lead. At the half, the Friars were in total control, 41-23. Dunn had more rebounds (nine) than DePaul (7) as the Friars crushed the Demons off the boards, 25-7. Dunn totaled 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the half, and PC’s defense held DePaul to 32 percent shooting.
“The first 20 minutes were, to me, the game,” Cooley said. “We played with a purpose and we had energy. Kris dictated the entire game and totally dominated the game, defensively, offensively, rebounding.”
To DePaul’s credit, the visitors showed up in the second half. Providence didn’t play with the same defensive zeal, and the Demons hit some 3s and pounded the ball inside nicely on the way to 64 percent shooting and 49 points. The Demons closed to 68-60 with 4:06 to play, but Dunn answered with a difficult 3-point shot with the shot clock at two seconds. DePaul didn’t get closer than nine points the rest of the way.
With Dunn scoring and sharing the ball so well, four other Friars scored in double figures: LaDontae Henton (12), Kyron Cartwright and Tyler Harris (11) and Ben Bentil (10).
Cartwright said that Dunn’s unselfishness “gives the whole team energy,” and he’s clearly become the catalyst after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury.
“I still think he’s just scratching the surface,” Cooley said. “Kris has a lot more development to go, but what he’s doing right now is enjoyable. I’m glad to see his work paying off. It’s great to see but if you’re part of the development and see where he came from, it’s that much greater story.”
Instead of boasting on his career day, Dunn offered a hopeful look ahead for a team that sits atop the Big East heading into a brutal three-game road swing that starts Saturday against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.
“It shows the improvement in the program since my freshman year,” Dunn said. “We’re just growing and growing. The coaching staff is doing an unbelievable job and the players are coming out and working hard every day. Right now we’re in really good position and we really are a family, on and off the court. So hopefully we just keep improving.”