Noah Horchler had 25 points and 11 rebounds and Nate Watson scored 23 points for Providence, which overcame the loss of point guard Jared Bynum to a first-half injury and pulled away to an 85-71 victory over visiting Saint Peter's on Saturday.

Bynum, who already had registered three assists, left the game with a right leg injury with 8:40 left in the first half. He did not return.

The Friars (6-1) made 29 of 31 foul shots.

Providence's Ed Cooley became the third coach in school history to reach the 200-victory plateau. Cooley, a Providence native who is in his 11th season as the Friars' head coach, owns a 200-136 record at the school. Joe Mullaney had 290 wins and Dave Gavitt 209 for Providence.

Daryl Banks III scored 26 points for the Peacocks (1-3).

Fousseyni Drame's putback basket had cut the Friars' lead to 52-51 with 13 minutes left, but Providence then went on a 17-4 run to extend its advantage with 6:53 to go. A.J. Reeves scored five points and Watson and Horchler each had four during the run.

The biggest difference for the Friars in the second half was their defense. Saint Peter's had shot 54.2 percent from the floor in the first half, but was limited to 40 percent in the second.

Providence took a 22-14 lead on a play that had very mixed results for the Friars. Horchler drained a 3-pointer from the left corner. But Bynum, who assisted on Horchler's basket, landed awkwardly after making the pass and was unable to stand. He was helped off the court and was unable to put any weight on his right leg. He then was taken immediately from the court to be examined further.

Providence still led 24-14 after Watson scored on a power move, and later at 31-22 on a short jumper by Horchler with 4:24 to go in the half, but the Peacocks began chipping away at the lead. The final basket of the half, by Banks III, cut the Peacocks' deficit to 38-37 heading into intermission.

--Field Level Media