PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -Jamine Peterson led five Friars in double figures with a career-high 18 points, and Providence cruised to a 96-53 win over Bryant on Friday night.
Freshman center Bilal Dixon added 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting and also had 11 rebounds for Providence (1-0). Dixon and Peterson were both in the lineup after redshirting last season.
Providence dominated Bryant in rebounding, 52-29, and registered 12 blocks and 13 steals.
Barry Latham had 12 points to lead the Bulldogs (0-1), who suffered their worst loss since becoming a Division I program in 2008.
The Friars set the tone with a 15-2 run over the first 3:47. Pushing the ball and applying full-court pressure, Providence forced 16 first-half turnovers and built a 50-18 halftime lead.
