Recap: Providence vs. UNC-Asheville

Bayamon, PR (Sports Network) - Bryce Cotton erupted for a game-high 30 points as the Providence Friars slipped by the Bulldogs of UNC-Asheville, 72-67, in the seventh-place game of the 2012 Puerto Rico Tip-Off at Coliseo Ruben Rodriquez.

Cotton connected on 11-of-19 shots from the floor, adding five rebounds and five assists for the Friars (3-2) in the victory. Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton both registered double-doubles for the unit as they each scored 15 points, the former pulling down 11 rebounds and the latter 10 boards.

The Bulldogs (1-4) were paced by Trent Meyer who tallied 20 points, while Jeremy Atkinson posted 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, but shot just 6- of-20 from the floor on the day. Keith Hornsby tacked on 10 points and six boards.

Providence made just 2-of-7 shots behind the three-point line in the first half, yet the team still made good on an impressive 56.0 percent from the floor overall in the frame, en route to a 32-24 advantage at the break.

In the second half the lead ballooned to 13 points early on for the Friars, but the Bulldogs didn't roll over thanks to Atkinson who himself had 10 points, seven boards and four steals in the period, but it simply wasn't enough.

Providence finished the day shooting 55.1 percent from the field which helped to compensate for just 12-of-21 accuracy at the free-throw line and 20 turnovers.