Providence tops Creighton 65-53, wins 5th straight

Dec 31, 2014, 10:03 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- LaDontae Henton scored 35 points to lead Providence to its fifth-consecutive win, beating Creighton 65-53 in the Big East opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Henton made 12 of 21 field goals, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range, and grabbed eight rebounds. Kris Dunn had 12 assists, eight rebounds and two steals for Providence (11-3, 1-0).

The Friars led 32-28 at halftime and opened the second half with a 10-2 run, including eight by Henton, to make it 42-30 with 15 minutes to play.

A layup by Geoffrey Groselle pulled Creighton (9-5, 0-1) within five, 44-39, but Dunn assisted on 3's by Henton and Jalen Lindsey during a 12-0 Providence spurt which gave the Friars their biggest lead of the game, 56-39, with 8:34 left.

Groselle led Creighton, which lost five games before Jan. 1 for the first time since the 2009-10 season, with 14 points.