By Bob Murph

PROVIDENCE—

This time it was a piece of cake

.

The

Friars came up big in the paint as well, led by

Two years ago, the Sacred Heart Pioneers came to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to challenge the Friars a few days before Christmas. And that’s exactly what they did, as the Friars managed to escape with an 89-75 victory. Last night, the two teams hooked up again. But the result was as different as night and day.Led by Alpha Diallo , who put up his first double double of the season (19 points, 14 rebounds), the Friars opened the regular season by routing the out-manned Pioneers, 106-60, before 8,103 fans at the Dunk. The game was televised throughout the area on the YES Network. It was the Friars' second time scoring 100 or more points in a game in theera—and the first time they did it in regulation. The 106 points also marked the most points scored in a regular season game by the Friars since a 106-64 win over Vermont in 2009.“This is one of the more physical, more disciplined defensive teams I think we've coached,”said. "Hopefully, this senior group can take us to places we've always dreamed about."Seven Friars scored in double figures and the team was led by senior, who registered his first double-double of the season with a 19-points, 14-rebound performance. The New York native shot 7-for-19 from the field and registered four blocks and three assists.The Friars found shots easy in the first half with sophomoregiving them their fast basket of the game. Duke, a Providence native, used his speed and vision to register eight assists along with 11 points and five boards.Sophomorewent on a run with back to back baskets to put the Friars up by 20 midway through the first half. He finished with 15 points on the night, shooting 50 percent (3-for-60) from beyond the arc.After the Friars nailed back to back three pointers giving the Friars a 29-point lead—their largest of the first half—the Pioneers had to take a timeout. It didn’t help a whole lot, however, as the Friars took a 59-30 lead into the locker room at intermissionPC outscored the Pioneers 59-30 going into the locker-room at half. Providence shot 53.8 percent from the field, including a blazing 10-for-20 from beyond the arc. It marked the first time the Friars made 10 or more threes in a half since they did it at St. John's in 2017.The Friars offensive assault continued in the second half as they came out of the locker room and were were simply, extending their lead to 34 after the first 3:28 minutes. The downtown game remained key to the Providence offense, as Reeves hit his second of the night on a feed from Duke in transition.(16 points, 4 boards). He recorded the second highest points of the night.The Friars kept their pedal to the metal and forced the Pioneers to call time out with 11:33 remaining in regulation. In a fast turn of events, Diallo blocked Aaron Clarke's layup that turned into a fast break layup for Holt down the other end. Diallo swatted the ball again in Sacred Heart territory werelobbed the ball up to White who scored in the paint. This put the Friars up 85-41. Pipkins brought energy and sight to the floor and finished the night with 13 points and 7 assists.“I've played against Providence for the last three years,” Pipkins said. “It's a blessing for me to now be playing for the Friars. I'm enjoying myself as a person, as a player and I'm happy to be here.”Both teams went cold starting with 11:34 left in the contest. Sacred Heart broke the drought after 4 minutes with a made free throw making the score 85-43.Providence saw points from nine players and shot 51.3 percent from the floor (39-for-76), including a blazing 47.1 percent, 16-for-34 from Smith Street. The Friar D also forced 19 Pioneer turnovers, scoring 30 off the forced miscues. Nor could the Pioneers handle the Friars down low as Providence outscored Sacred Heart 43-24 in the paint. Seniors,andboth registered 10 points.Up next the Friars will host NJIT on Saturday at the Dunk. The game will be televised on FSN. Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m.