Ben Bentil of Providence University was a rebound short of recording a double-double in his side’s 70-69 win over University of Southern California at the PNC Arena in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Basketball Championship.
The 6 foot 8 inch Ghanaian combo forward top scored by recording 19 points whilst adding nine rebounds, two assists and a steal in 40 minutes. Had he collected another rebound, Bentil would have equalled Rodney Bullock’s game high 10 rebounds in the game.
Bullock was the hero on the night despite Bentil’s high scoring exploits as he scored the game winner with a layup off an inbound pass from teammate Drew Edwards with 1.5 seconds left on the clock. Southern California’s game plane was undone as the team committed 12 turnovers; Providence on the other hand, conceded possession half California’s rate.
It was a good start for the Big East Conference leading scorer Bentil-averaged 21.2 points per game- to the tournament dubbed March Madness who showed a much disciplined side to his game by committing just two fouls after fouling out against Villanova prior to the game.
Bentil is ranked 46 by nbadraft.net in its most recent NBA Mock Draft for this year’s draft, on pace to be selected by the Orlando Magic. A combination of good form and deep run in the tournament will raise Bentil’s profile and move him up the draft.
The ninth ranked Friars will face top ranked University of North Carolina on Saturday March 19 after Carolina beat Florida Gulf Coast 83-67.
