The Villages features University of Alabama signee Sam Walters and a pair of dynamic freshmen in 6’7 Chris Washington and 6’6 Kymani Weathers.  Providence, long a power in North Florida, is a young group powered by 6’6 juniors Chris Arias and Jaylen Robinson.

It was a very fast start by Providence as Robinson and Arias each scored on the same play.  A moment later, Arias buried a three to give Providence a 7-0 lead with only two minutes gone in the quarter.  The Villages finally got on the board with a three-point play from Washington, but Providence was undeterred.  Robinson scored twice inside before The Villages could get back on the board with a two inside by 5’11 junior Alvon Issac to make the score 11-5 in favor of Providence with under three minutes to go.  Unfortunately for the Buffalo, Providence ended the quarter on 10-0 run, capped off by a three from 6’0 junior Brady Patterson.  After the first eight minutes, Providence was up 21-5.

That 10-0 run continued into the second quarter for Providence.  They scored ten more unanswered, six by Arias, to make the score 31-5 with five minutes left.  The Villages didn’t quit, putting together an 8-3 spurt to get to within 34-13 with 2:38 to play in the half.  Providence shook that off, scoring the last five points of the half, to make the score 39-13.

A 7-0 run by Providence to open the third quarter felt like deja’ vu for all in the facility.  The Villages finally scored with 4:11 in the quarter with a three from Walters to make the score 46-16.  However, a three from Lee and a put back from Robinson made the score 51-16, which meant running clock.  At the end of the third, Providence had a hefty 52-18 lead.

Providence showed no mercy in the final quarter, pushing the margin past forty.  Providence rolled to a surprisingly easy 65-23 win.

Arias led Providence with 17 points while Robinson had 15 points and 6’7 senior Mason Lee dropped in 14 points.

Walters led The Villages with nine points.