Providence Friars Stun Butler in Double Overtime Thriller

Backup guard Daniels hits clutch 3-pointer to force overtime in improbable comeback win

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:47pm

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In a season filled with tough losses, the Providence College men's basketball team found something to celebrate with an improbable 97-87 double-overtime victory over Butler on Wednesday night. The game appeared headed for another disappointing defeat for the Friars, but a late 3-pointer by little-used guard Daniels sent the game to overtime, where Providence outlasted the Bulldogs.

Why it matters

The win provides a much-needed boost of morale for the struggling Friars, who have endured a difficult season marked by close losses. The dramatic comeback victory could potentially serve as a turning point, giving the team renewed confidence and energy as they look to salvage their season.

The details

With Providence trailing by 3 points late in regulation, Daniels - a preferred walk-on who had made just 4 shots all season - calmly knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game after a heads-up pass from teammate Ryan Mela. Butler had a chance to win it at the free throw line, but star player Finley Bizjack missed one of two attempts, sending the game to overtime. In the extra periods, the exhausted Friars found a way to outlast the Bulldogs, getting key contributions from Duncan Powell, Mela, and Jaylin Sellars, who overcame an apparent injury to score a game-high 36 points.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Daniels hit the game-tying 3-pointer with just seconds remaining in regulation.

The players

Kim English

The head coach of the Providence College men's basketball team.

Daniels

A preferred walk-on player for Providence who hit the clutch 3-pointer to force overtime.

Finley Bizjack

The star player for Butler who missed a crucial free throw at the end of regulation that allowed Providence to force overtime.

Jaylin Sellars

The Providence player who overcame an apparent injury to score a game-high 36 points in the victory.

Thad Matta

The head coach of the Butler men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I told the guys after, the pain of regret hurts a lot more than the pain of discipline. We've had some very very tough locker rooms after games this season. I'm not sure I've had the words to say to the guys a lot of the times with the ways we've lost.”

— Kim English, Head Coach, Providence College

“Coach has been telling me the last two years to be ready. That's all I kept doing. When the opportunity presents itself, just do what you've got to do.”

— Daniels, Providence Player

“Seeing him at the line wasn't a great feeling. Basketball is unpredictable. Some players make shots that you won't think will make shots, and some players don't. He was on the line and whether he made it or not, we were going to keep fighting.”

— Daniels, Providence Player

“We just need one. We're right there, it doesn't matter how many guys we're down, we will not stop fighting. We will change this season around.”

— Daniels, Providence Player

“By no means did that cost us the game. I felt great with him going to the line, it's just one of those things that happened.”

— Thad Matta, Head Coach, Butler

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This improbable comeback victory could provide a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum for the struggling Providence Friars, who have endured a difficult season marked by close losses. The team's resilience and refusal to quit, exemplified by the heroics of little-used guard Daniels, serves as an inspiration and shows the potential for the Friars to turn their season around.