What a game! This game had to be one of the best of the early college basketball season and its a shame one team had to lose. What turned into a championship game for the Naismith bracket of the Hall of Fame Tipoff with both teams being undefeated heading into the game the players didn’t disappoint.

The story early in the game was Notre Dame’s second chance points from offensive rebounds but the story quickly changed to be about LaDontae Henton.

“Henton was fabulous,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said after the game. Fabulous might be an understatement. Ed Cooley was emotional in his post game remarks talking about how he was recollecting after the game about LaDontae Henton being his first commitment at Providence College and how he is proud to have watched him grow up.

Henton did his best Bryce Cotton impersonation and went off for a career high 38 points in 40 minutes including the game winning free throws with 14.8 seconds on the clock. The Friars made two stops after that with the Irish getting the ball out of bounds off a Jerian Grant miss. Cooley mentioned after the game that Kris Dunn wanted to guard Grant but Cooley opted to give the assignment to Junior Lomomba because Dunn was a bit gimpy after taking a spill into the first row behind the basket a few minutes earlier.

Providence only had 10 turnovers but they allowed the Irish to grab 10 offensive rebounds. Both teams shot the ball well from the field with Providence being 28/50 (56%) and Notre Dame going 26/52 (50%). Jerian Grant came alive in the second half and ended up with 20 points after getting off to a slow start in the first half.

Providence’s next game is Friday back at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center against Yale.

Notes:

• Freshman Jalen Lindsey injured his ankle after making a three pointer in the first half. He would only return to the bench after halftime and was on crutches. Cooley didn’t get into details after the game but said they will give the players Monday off and re-evaluate the injury before the next game against Yale on Friday.
• LaDontae Henton’s 38 points are the most for a Providence player since Bryce Cotton scored 36 points in Providence’s loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament last season.
• After having a few less than stellar performances at the free throw line earlier in the season Providence shot 92.9% (13/14) against Notre Dame.
• The Providence team will be together on Thanksgiving at Ed Cooley’s house.