Providence Triumphs in Double Overtime Against Butler
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Amica Mutual Pavilion
Providence Friars 97, Butler Bulldogs 87, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Butler Bulldogs vs Providence Friars?
Providence Friars beat Butler Bulldogs 97-87 at Amica Mutual Pavilion on February 4, 2026.
Who was favored in Butler Bulldogs vs Providence Friars?
Providence Friars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -155 (about 61% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling contest at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the Providence Friars edged the Butler Bulldogs 97-87 after two overtime periods. This victory marks a much-needed win for Providence, who had been struggling with a recent record of 2-8 over their last ten games, including a four-game losing streak. The Friars averaged 83.7 points scored but allowed 87.9 points during that stretch, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. In contrast, Butler entered the game with a 4-6 record over their last ten, and while they had shown some resilience, they were also on a two-game losing streak, averaging 78.3 points scored and allowing 79.0 points.
The matchup was particularly significant for Providence, who had a home record of 10-13, while Butler had a slightly better away record of 13-10. Historically, the Friars had struggled against Butler, with a head-to-head record of 1-3 in their last four meetings. The previous encounters included a close loss earlier in the season, where Providence fell 110-113 in a high-scoring affair on December 13, 2025. This backdrop added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as Providence sought to turn the tide.
In terms of player performance, the game featured standout moments, particularly in the second overtime. Ryan Mela contributed crucial free throws, while Jaylin Sellers made significant plays, including layups and free throws that helped seal the victory for Providence. The Friars' ability to execute in clutch moments was a key factor in their success, especially after a challenging stretch of games where they struggled to maintain leads.
The market for this game, according to DraftKings, had Providence favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 168.5. The odds reflected the close nature of the matchup, indicating that both teams had the potential to compete fiercely. The home moneyline for Providence was listed at -155.0, while Butler's was at +130.0, suggesting that while Providence was expected to win, Butler was still viewed as a competitive opponent.
Conditions during the game were conducive to a high-scoring affair, as both teams had shown offensive capabilities but also weaknesses on defense. With Providence averaging 85.8 points scored and 89.6 points allowed in their last five games, and Butler averaging 77.0 points scored and 78.2 points allowed, the stage was set for an exciting encounter.
Overall, this game was a testament to Providence's resilience and ability to overcome adversity, especially after a difficult period. The Friars' performance in double overtime not only provided them with a much-needed win but also served as a confidence booster as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | PROV -2.5 | 168.5 o -110 / u -110 | Butler Bulldogs +130 · Providence Friars -155 |
Leaders
- PointsJaylin Sellers36Providence Friars
- AssistsStefan Vaaks3Providence Friars
- ReboundsRyan Mela10Providence Friars
- PointsFinley Bizjack30Butler Bulldogs
- AssistsFinley Bizjack5Butler Bulldogs
- ReboundsMichael Ajayi12Butler Bulldogs
Recent form
Providence Friars
Last 10: 2-8Streak L483.7 scored · 87.9 allowed per game1-4 at home
- L73-87at Villanova WildcatsJan 31
- L81-87at UConn HuskiesJan 28
- L78-81vs Georgetown HoyasJan 24
- L104-105at Marquette Golden EaglesJan 19
- W93-88vs Creighton BluejaysJan 16
- L82-88vs Villanova WildcatsJan 13
- L84-97at Xavier MusketeersJan 10
- L98-103vs UConn HuskiesJan 8
- W77-71at St. John's Red StormJan 3
- L67-72vs Seton Hall PiratesDec 19
Butler Bulldogs
Last 10: 4-6Streak L278.3 scored · 79 allowed per game1-3 away
- L64-77vs Georgetown HoyasJan 31
- L70-92at St. John's Red StormJan 29
- W87-76vs Marquette Golden EaglesJan 24
- W87-80vs DePaul Blue DemonsJan 21
- W77-66at Seton Hall PiratesJan 17
- L75-89at Xavier MusketeersJan 14
- L70-84vs St. John's Red StormJan 7
- L67-85vs Villanova WildcatsJan 3
- L85-89at Creighton BluejaysDec 31
- W101-52vs NJIT HighlandersDec 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 30-7 | - | 18-2 |
| UConn | 34-6 | 1 | 17-3 |
| Villanova | 24-9 | 3 | 15-5 |
| Seton Hall | 21-12 | 8 | 10-10 |
| Creighton | 16-18 | 9 | 9-11 |
| DePaul | 16-16 | 10 | 8-12 |
| Butler | 16-16 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Providence | 15-18 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Marquette | 12-20 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Georgetown | 16-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
| Xavier | 15-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Butler Bulldogs | Providence Friars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-65 | 31-66 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 6-21 | 9-28 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 32 |
| Free throws | 23-34 | 26-39 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 46 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 30 |
| Assists | 10 | 11 |
| Steals | 7 | 6 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 15 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 40 |
| Fouls | 28 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 16 | 16 |
| Time in front | 51 | 37 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half63-56Evan Haywood makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half63-59Jaylin Sellers makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half63-61Jamier Jones makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half66-61Evan Haywood makes 23-foot three point jumper (Finley Bizjack assists)
- 2nd Half66-62Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-63Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-63Yohan Traore makes layup (Finley Bizjack assists)
- 2nd Half69-63Yohan Traore makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half69-64Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-65Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-67Stefan Vaaks makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half71-67Finley Bizjack makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half71-69Jaylin Sellers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-72Jaylin Sellers makes 26-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half73-72Evan Haywood makes 9-foot floating jump shot (Michael Ajayi assists)
- 2nd Half73-73Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT73-75Oswin Erhunmwunse makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Stefan Vaaks assists)
- OT76-75Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor makes 23-foot three point jumper (Finley Bizjack assists)
- OT76-78Jaylin Sellers makes 29-foot three point jumper (Cole Hargrove assists)
- OT77-78Drayton Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT78-78Finley Bizjack makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT79-78Finley Bizjack makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT79-79Stefan Vaaks makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT81-79Michael Ajayi makes driving layup
- OT81-82Nilavan Daniels makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ryan Mela assists)
- OT82-82Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT82-84Duncan Powell makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2OT82-85Duncan Powell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2OT82-87Ryan Mela makes 9-foot pullup jump shot (Jaylin Sellers assists)
- 2OT82-88Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT82-89Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT82-90Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT82-91Ryan Mela makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT82-92Ryan Mela makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2OT85-92Finley Bizjack makes 23-foot three point jumper (Yame Butler assists)
- 2OT85-94Jaylin Sellers makes layup
- 2OT85-95Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT87-95Yame Butler makes driving layup
- 2OT87-96Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2OT87-97Jaylin Sellers makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Providence Friars, below favours Butler Bulldogs.
Venue
- Amica Mutual PavilionProvidence, RI
- Attendance8152
- OfficialsKipp Kissinger, Paul Szelc, Clarence Armstrong
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