Growing Pains and Glimpses of Promise: Young Friars Flash Firepower in Back-to-Back BIG EAST Losses
Providence College’s January slate continued to test a young roster learning on the fly, as the Friars dropped back-to-back BIG EAST contests on the road at Xavier and at home against Villanova. Despite the losses, the week also showcased the emergence of freshman Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones, whose scoring outbursts offered optimism as Providence looks ahead to a key home matchup with Creighton.
Friars Fall at Xavier, 97-84
Providence opened the week in Cincinnati, where it fell to Xavier, 97-84, at the Cintas Center on Jan. 10. The loss dropped the Friars to 8-8 overall and 1-4 in BIG EAST play, while Xavier improved to 10-7 (2-4 BIG EAST).
Freshman Stefan Vaaks led Providence with a career-high 21 points, continuing to show flashes of his scoring versatility. Senior Jason Edwards added 16 points, while Duncan Powell and Jaylin Sellers each chipped in 12.
The Friars started efficiently, winning the opening tip and scoring first on a Jaylin Sellers jumper. Xavier quickly responded with a 7-0 run, setting the tone for a first half in which Providence repeatedly fought to close the gap. Vaaks made his presence felt early, scoring in transition, knocking down a three, and getting to the free-throw line as Providence trimmed the deficit to single digits on multiple occasions.
Providence leaned heavily on ball movement to stay within striking distance. Edwards found Powell for a pick-and-pop three, Vaaks buried another triple off a leave pass in transition, and Oswin Erhunmwunse contributed valuable interior buckets, including a put-back off an offensive rebound and a give-and-go finish.
Despite those moments, Xavier maintained control behind efficient shooting and timely perimeter scoring. The Musketeers carried a 44-35 advantage into halftime, as Providence struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 22.2 percent from three in the opening 20 minutes.
The second half saw Xavier seize momentum early with an 8-3 run, extending its lead to 14 and forcing an early Providence timeout. The Musketeers continued to push the pace, scoring in transition and from deep to build a game-high 19-point lead midway through the half.
Providence showed resilience, answering with brief spurts fueled by Cole Hargrove, Sellers, and Vaaks. Vaaks scored four straight points late in the half to provide a spark, but every Friar push was met by a Xavier response. The Musketeers finished the game shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three, while Providence could not consistently string together stops.
Xavier’s Malik Messina-Moore led all scorers with 23 points, with Jovan Milicevic adding 22. Although Providence held a 35-18 edge in bench points, Xavier’s 30-16 advantage in fast-break scoring proved decisive.
Friars Come Up Short Against Villanova, 88-82
Providence returned home on Jan. 13 hoping to rebound, but Villanova spoiled the effort with an 88-82 victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The loss dropped the Friars to 8-9 overall and 1-5 in conference play, while Villanova improved to 14-3 (5-1 BIG EAST).
Jaylin Sellers led Providence with 24 points, delivering his most complete performance of the season. Freshmen Jamier Jones and Stefan Vaaks were right behind him, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively, marking the first time in nearly 30 years that two Friar freshmen scored 20 or more points in the same game.
Providence came out sharp offensively, with Jones opening the scoring by converting all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt. Jones continued his aggressive start, scoring on a driving layup and later finishing an alley-oop to keep the Friars within striking distance early.
The first half featured several momentum swings. Providence tied the game at 12 behind a Vaaks drive and three-pointer, then erased a deficit with a 7-0 run capped by a Sellers layup following a Powell steal. However, Villanova responded with a decisive 10-0 run, reestablishing control before halftime.
Despite shooting an impressive 56.0 percent from the field in the first half, Providence trailed 46-34 at the break, undone by Villanova’s efficiency and timely perimeter shooting.
The Friars refused to fade in the second half. Sellers ignited a comeback with a pair of three-pointers and a breakaway dunk, while Jones attacked the rim relentlessly, converting an and-one in transition and continuing to score in traffic. Vaaks added timely buckets, including a crafty finish at the rim and a deep three off an offensive rebound kick-out from Sellers.
Providence trimmed the deficit to as few as five points with just over 10 minutes remaining, and again to six in the final two minutes after Vaaks’ third three and an Erhunmwunse finish. Sellers’ fourth three-pointer off a baseline inbounds play pulled the Friars within five, but Villanova executed down the stretch to seal the win.
Villanova finished the night shooting 50.0 percent from the field, with Devin Askew leading the Wildcats with 20 points off the bench. Tyler Perkins added 15.
Signs of Growth Moving Forward
While the results did not fall Providence’s way, the week underscored meaningful progress from the Friars’ young core. Vaaks recorded 21 points in consecutive games, becoming the first Friar freshman to do so since Sharaud Curry in 2005-06. Jones’ 23-point performance marked the most by a Providence freshman since AJ Reeves in 2019, and the duo’s efficiency highlighted a promising future.
Sellers continues to be a steady leader, ranking among the BIG EAST’s top scorers and shooting nearly 90 percent from the free-throw line. Defensively, Oswin Erhunmwunse remains one of the league’s premier rim protectors, ranking first in the conference in blocks.
Providence now turns its attention to Creighton, hosting the Bluejays on Friday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. on FS1. The Friars hold a 12-5 all-time record against Creighton at home and will look to capitalize on their offensive firepower as they aim to steady their season and make a push in conference play.