. 4-Seed Providence College Mens Basketball Tops No. 13-Seed ...
The Providence College men's basketball team just made history by beating No. 13-seed University of Southern California (USC) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The hard-fought game ended with a score of 70-69, and it was a nail-biter from start to finish. It was an emotional win for the team, the coaching staff, and the fans, and it's a victory that will be talked about for years to come. Let's take a closer look at this unforgettable game.
The Build-Up
The game was played in San Antonio, Texas, on March 18, 2021. Providence College (PC), a small Catholic college located in Rhode Island, was the 4-seed in the East Region, while USC, a large public university located in Los Angeles, was the 13-seed. The game was expected to be a mismatch, with many experts predicting that USC would easily handle PC. However, the Friars, as PC's team is known, had other plans.
The First Half
The first half was a back-and-forth affair. USC got off to a hot start and led by as many as 10 points early on. However, PC fought back and took a one-point lead into halftime. The key to PC's success in the first half was their defense, which held USC to just 33% shooting. PC also got strong performances from their stars, junior guard David Duke and senior forward Nate Watson. Duke had 12 points at halftime, while Watson had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The Second Half
The second half was even more intense than the first. USC came out strong and took the lead early on, but PC fought back once again. The game was tied with just a few minutes left, and both teams had numerous opportunities to take the lead. In the end, it was PC's defense that made the difference. With just seconds left, Duke blocked a shot by USC's star player, Evan Mobley, and PC held on for the win.
The Aftermath
The win was a huge upset and a major milestone for PC. It was their first NCAA tournament win since 1997 and just their second win overall in the last 24 years. The team and coaching staff were understandably thrilled, with head coach Ed Cooley calling it "one of the biggest wins in the history of our program." The fans were also ecstatic, with many taking to social media to express their joy and pride.
Final Thoughts
The game between PC and USC was a classic and will be remembered for years to come. It was a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, and PC's defense and star players ultimately made the difference. The win was a major accomplishment for PC and a reminder that anything is possible in the NCAA tournament. The Friars will now move on to the second round, where they will face 5-seed University of Florida. If they can continue to play at the level they did against USC, they have a real shot at pulling off another upset.
