Friars Fall in Double-Overtime Thriller at Butler in Big East Opener

In a game that felt more like March than mid-December, the Providence College men’s basketball team came up just short in a 113–110 double-overtime loss to Butler on Saturday afternoon at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. The BIG EAST opener for both programs featured 50 minutes of shot-making, momentum swings, and dramatic finishes, as the Bulldogs improved to 8–2 (1–0 BIG EAST) while the Friars slipped to 7–5 (0–1).

Graduate guard Jason Edwards delivered a career-defining performance, pouring in a season-high 32 points to lead all scorers. Jaylin Sellers added 26 points, tying his season high, as Providence placed five players in double figures in one of the highest-scoring games in program history. Ultimately, Butler’s late-shot heroics proved to be the difference in a contest that featured a combined 223 points — the most ever scored in a Providence game.

The Friars weathered an early storm after Butler opened the game on a 7–0 run. Duncan Powell halted the surge with an aggressive drive to the rim, then followed with a three-pointer and a reverse layup to pull Providence back within two. That sequence sparked an early back-and-forth rhythm that defined the remainder of the half.

Jamier Jones gave Providence its first lead with a transition three and a crafty reverse layup, while Jaylin Sellers and Corey Floyd Jr. knocked down back-to-back threes to put the Friars ahead 23–20 midway through the opening period. Edwards soon asserted himself offensively, scoring five straight points as Providence briefly grabbed control.

Despite the fast pace, defensive intensity picked up late in the half. Floyd converted a second-chance layup, and Sellers capped his strong opening 20 minutes with a three and a mid-range jumper that pushed the Friars’ lead to 40–35 — their largest of the half. Edwards beat the buzzer with a floater, sending Providence into the locker room with a 45–41 advantage.

Providence shot an efficient 50 percent from the field in the first half, marking the fourth consecutive game the Friars eclipsed that mark before halftime. The bench also played a major role, outscoring Butler’s reserves 24–11.

The second half opened with more of the same. Sellers scored in transition, Ryan Mela converted at the line, and Stefan Vaaks buried a three before Edwards followed with one of his own to give Providence a 55–48 lead.

Edwards continued to answer the bell, draining another three and finishing at the rim as the Friars held a 60–53 advantage. Butler, however, refused to go away. The Bulldogs found a rhythm offensively, scoring on four straight possessions to tie the game at 62.

Sellers knocked down his third triple to temporarily stem the tide, but the teams traded punches down the stretch. Edwards hit another three and calmly sank free throws in crunch time, while Sellers added his fourth three-pointer with under four minutes to play to tie the game at 79.

The final minutes of regulation were chaotic and thrilling. Jamier Jones threw down an emphatic transition dunk, Oswin Erhunmwunse added a put-back slam, and Sellers delivered from the free-throw line with 19 seconds remaining to tie the game at 89. Butler’s final look missed the mark, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime showcased Edwards at his best. After early baskets from Vaaks and Erhunmwunse, Butler briefly seized momentum with a three-pointer. Edwards responded emphatically, knocking down back-to-back threes in the final minute to give Providence a 99–98 edge.

The Bulldogs answered at the line, and once again, defense prevailed at the horn, forcing a second overtime.

In double overtime, Providence continued to fight. Erhunmwunse and Jones scored inside, Vaaks finished through contact, and Sellers converted a layup to give the Friars a 108–107 lead with just over two minutes remaining. Edwards added a floater moments later, but Butler countered with another timely three to tie the game at 110.

A second-chance triple with 35 seconds left ultimately proved decisive. Providence had opportunities to respond — including a potential tying three from Vaaks and a final look from Sellers — but neither fell, sealing a heartbreaking loss for the Friars.

Providence shot 47.7 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from three, but Butler’s volume from the free-throw line and timely perimeter shooting made the difference. Edwards’ 32 points marked the first 30-point performance by a Friar since Devin Carter’s 31 against DePaul in February 2024, while Sellers’ 26 provided consistent scoring throughout.

The game also marked Providence’s highest-scoring contest ever, surpassing the previous record set in 1991. Despite the result, the Friars showed resilience and offensive firepower in a notoriously difficult venue, dropping their third straight game at Butler by a combined seven points.

Providence returns home looking to bounce back in its BIG EAST home opener against Seton Hall on Friday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. at Amica Mutual Pavilion, with coverage on FS1.