BYU basketball is defeated by Providence in its first real road test

PROVO — In BYU’s first real road test of the 2024-25 season, the Cougars’ defense didn’t travel.

BYU’s offense wasn’t great either.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers and five rebounds, and Bryce Hopkins scored 16 points with five rebounds and four assists in his season debut as the Friars hosted the Cougars with 83 in the Big 12 on Tuesday night :64 defeated. Big East Battle at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

Bensley Joseph and Jayden Pierre each scored 12 points for Providence (6-3), which shot 60% from the field, 12 of 22 from 3-point range and 21 of 26 from the free throw line.

Dawson Baker had 16 points and four rebounds off the bench to lead BYU, which lost its second game in six days.

Keba Keita added 9 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars (6-2), and Trevin Knell scored 9 points on 3-of-4 shooting for a BYU team that shot just 33.3% from the field and 7 from 25 from the field shot perimeter.

BYU’s starting five of Dallin Hall, Egor Demin, Richie Saunders, Keba Keita and Kanon Catchings made 9 of 41 shots from the field.

The Friars made 11 of their first 13 shots, including five 3-pointers, to lead BYU 31-21 midway through the first half.

Knell hit a 3-pointer and Demin, who missed his first 10 shots from the field and five 3-point attempts, scored 4 from the free throw line during a 9-0 run that brought the Cougars within 34-30 at 2:30 at the half there were 52 players left.

But Providence hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Abdur-Rahim scored 11 points to help the hot-shooting Friars shoot 71.4% to a 46-34 halftime lead.

Traore led BYU with 8 points on 4 of 7 shooting in the first half, followed by Demin, whose 6 points all came on free throws for a BYU team that shot just 12 of 37 (32.4%) from the field the first half.

BYU used a 10-2 run to start the second half and got within 53-46 on Knell’s three-pointer with 13:18 to play. But 3-point shooting was the Friars’ best friend, including two from Abdur-Rahim that extended Providence’s lead back to 64-49 with 9:31 left.

The Cougars went on an extended scoring drought, including one over four minutes midway through the second half that was part of an 18-5 run by the Friars en route to leading by as many as 25 points.

BYU is back home after a three-game road trip next Wednesday, Dec. 11, hosting Fresno State (7:00 p.m. MST, ESPN+).

This story will be updated.