Projo College Hoops

VEROLI, Italy -- The Providence College men's basketball team defeated Veroli, an Italian professional team, 128-68, on Friday, August 24 in Veroli, Italy at the Pala Coccia. The Friars were led by the strong play of junior center Randall Hanke (New York, N.Y.), who came off the bench to score a team-high 24 points. As a team, Providence shot an impressive 57.3 percent from the floor, while Veroli shot 24-58 over four 10 minute quarters.

Providence was playing its first game of a six-game, 13-day tour of Italy. The Friars, who posted an 18-13 mark last season, brought 11 returning players to Italy for the tour. Due to NCAA rules, PC's three incoming freshmen were not eligible to attend the trip.

The Friars, a veteran team that features one senior, seven juniors and three sophomores, dominated the game from the opening tip. Junior forward Jonathan Kale (Mattapan, Mass.) led all Friar starters with 17 points and eight rebounds. Junior point guard Sharaud Curry (Gainesville, Ga.) registered 13 assists in 23 minutes of action. Sophomore guard Dwain Williams (San Diego, Calif.) also had an impressive game, scoring 18 points while shooting 4-7 from three-point territory.

The Friars will return to action on Saturday, August 25 against Pepsi Caserta in Atina, Italy.

PC LOSES GAME 2
The Providence College men's basketball team was defeated by Pepsi Caserta, an Italian professional team, 77-67, on Saturday, August 25 in Atina, Italy at the Palazzo Oszaldo Soriano. The Friars were led by junior Jonathan Kale (Mattapan, Mass.) who posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He was 9-15 from field. It was his second strong game. In the Friars' first game of the Italian tour, he recorded 17 points and eight rebounds versus Veroli on August 24. Former Wake Forest guard Randolph Childress ran the point for Pepsi Caserta.

Friar junior Geoff McDermott (New Rochelle, N.Y.) added six points, five steals and four assists in 18 minutes of action.

The Friars will return to action on Tuesday, August 28 against Caramatica Pistoia in Florence, Italy.

---