Providence aims to cap perfect homestand with win over Delaware St.

Providence looks to polish off a perfect season-opening, five-game homestand Tuesday against Delaware State.The Friars (4-0) are coming off a 79-65 win over Green Bay on Saturday. They now aim for their first 5-0 start in three years before departing for the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas next week.Second-year coach Kim English’s team has improved over the opening stretch while holding its first four opponents under 70 points for the first time since 2014-15. Notably, Providence’s turnover count decreased for a third straight game — to only six — against a Green Bay team that played without the presence of a traditional big man.”Proud of our guys for finding a way to win,” English said. “We’re making steps in the right direction. … The turnovers, really proud looking at that. Some guys have been making some consistent plays that we want to see more of as a group.”Providence junior point guard Jayden Pierre had a particularly strong week, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists without committing a turnover over the past two games. He scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting against Green Bay.Pierre is averaging 11 points per game on the season, just shy of Miami transfer Bensley Joseph’s team-leading 12. Freshman forward Ryan Mela added a spark by averaging six points and 4.5 rebounds in two games last week.”He’s a gamer. He’s in it,” English said. “Ryan’s on fire. … We just want more guys to be on fire.”