PROVIDENCE –– It was an opening slice of perfection Friday night for the Providence Friars.

PC jumped on Bryant University in the opening minutes and never let up on its way to a dominating 96-53 victory in the World Vision Invitational. PC led, 50-18, at the half and rolled up leads of as many as 51 points in the final minutes.

The game unfolded as if out of PC coach Keno Davis’ dreams. Just beginning his second season as the Friars’ coach, Davis is hoping an injection of athleticism, energy and youth from eight new players can spark a team that feels it can fare much better than most experts’ predictions.

Davis wants to play fast. Check. The Friars pushed the pace all night and attempted 19 more shots than the Bulldogs in the first half.

Davis feels he’ll have a much-improved defensive team. Check. PC forced 21 Bryant turnovers and scored 30 points off those miscues.

Much of PC’s offense revolves around taking quick 3-point shots. Check. Seven different Friars sank a total of 10 threes.

As for rebounding, intensity and athleticism, the Friars enjoyed whopping advantages in each department. Check mate.

“I’m really pleased with our team’s intensity coming out to start the game and pretty much throughout the game,” Davis said. “It was really by far another level what we brought right from the tip in the halfcourt defense.”

Ten Friars reached the scoring column, with Jamine Peterson leading the way with 18 points and three blocks. Bilal Dixon added 16 points (8-for-8 shooting) and 11 rebounds. Seniors Sharaud Curry (12) and Brian McKenzie (11, with three 3s) also reached double figures.

Bryant, which is beginning its second season as a Division I team, shot only 34 percent and was outrebounded, 52-29.

“It’s a very challenging game for us from an athletic standpoint. We’re obviously overmatched,” said Bryant coach Tim O’Shea. “The turnover numbers and the rebounding numbers are a reflection of their quickness advantage and their athletic advantage. They really took it to us.”

The game was almost completely out of control after just nine minutes. By that point, the Friars were cruising with a 26-10 lead and dominating Bryant at both ends of the court. PC pushed a frenetic pace and Bryant simply didn’t have the horses to handle it. The Bulldogs had eight turnovers and just four field goals early on as the big men and guards all had trouble advancing the ball and getting into an offense.

Defensively, the Bulldogs could never settle into their offense. The Friars hit six 3s in the half but did more damage off the boards (28-13 edge), especially in scooping up 15 of their own misses. PC scored 23 points off turnovers in the half on the way to a 32-point lead at the break.

Peterson, a strong forward, had 10 points in the opening half. Dixon grabbed six offensive rebounds to lead the board crew.

“This game I was hyped,” said Dixon. “Today, I got lucky. Eight-for-eight? I didn’t miss a shot.”

Davis was thrilled with all of his rebounders, especially Dixon.

“To be able to get 11 rebounds in just 21 minutes, you’re going to be able to shoot a really high percentage when you go get that many offensive rebounds,” Davis said.

In order to maintain the quick pace, Davis plans to substitute freely. He was able to do that at will all night as 11 scholarship players saw extensive playing time and everyone found the scoring column.

The Friars were a ragged defensive team a season ago but Davis is hoping a shot of athleticism and additional depth can vastly improve his team at that end of the floor. Curry, the old veteran of the team, is preaching patience and taking a long view as the season unfolds. PC plays Bucknell in the second game of the World Vision tournament Saturday.

"Defensively we looked good," said Curry. "This was a good step but it’s still the first game. We have to do it over a long period of time before we can say that we’re a better defensive team. This was a great step towards that but we have to keep doing it the whole season."

kmcnamar@projo.com