PROVIDENCE -- There were a number of encouraging notes for PC last night, such as shooting 80 percent in the second half and 55 percent for the game.

What could be most important in the long run is that some of the shots that were falling were 3-pointers.

The Friars entered hitting only 27.6 percent on the season, last in the Big East. Bryant, because it is so much smaller than PC, played zone most of the game to try to protect the inside. That all but begged PC to fire away from the outside.

PC made just 1 of its first 10 3-pointers. But, sparked by Marshon Brooks, who had three treys before halftime, the Friars began heating up and made 9 of their last 16.

"I knew they'd start falling some time,'' said PC coach Keno Davis, who has insisted all along that his team has the ability to make threes and will start shooting better.

"We're making the extra pass now, driving and kicking it out,'' Davis said. "I remember when people were talking about us saying we weren't a good foul-shooting team. We've improved in that. I think we can improve with the 3-pointer, too.''

The 10 treys marked only the second time this season PC has reached double figures in that department.

PC-Bryant links

Considering that PC and Bryant are only about 10 miles apart, it is not surprising that the schools have plenty of connections. Still, the list compiled by Jason Sullivan and Jared Hager of the Bryant sports communications office is impressive in how many current Bryant coaches have Friar connections.

Here is the list:

Women's basketball coach Mary Burke is one of the great players in PC's women's hoop history and a Friar Hall of Famer; men's soccer coach Seamus Purcell was a two-time PC All-American and also a Friar Hall of Famer; men's tennis coach Ron Gendron both played and coached at PC; women's tennis coach Barbara Cilli, women's volleyball coach Theresa Garlacy, and track and cross-country coach Stephanie Reilly all are PC grads.

Men's basketball assistant Kevin Kurbec was an assistant coach at PC for 10 years under Tim Welsh. And, for good measure, two of the recent interns in the Bryant communications office, Mike Coyne and Ryan Emerson, were PC grad students.

"They're all coming tonight,'' Hager said of the Friars who have turned into Bryant coaches. "I don't know who they're rooting for.''

Redshirt decisions

Davis said he still had not made a final decision on redshirting Bilal Dixon and Greedy Peterson, but that he still wanted to reach that point before the Big East season begins. He said he hoped Alex Kellogg, who has been out with a knee problem, will be able to return to practice after the Christmas break. If that happens, it will make his decision easier, Davis said. ... Bryant started three Rhode Islanders last night. Peter Lambert of Cumberland had eight points, Chris Birrell seven assists with only one turnover, and Andrew Lyell four points. … The three Rhode Island games will not be good memories for PC's Jeff Xavier. He scored a total of three points in the three games, all against Brown. He was a combined 1-for-16 from the field in the three games, 0-for-11 on 3-pointers.

pkenyon@projo.com