The Providence vs. BYU basketball game turned ugly on Tuesday night, when Friars fans in Rhode Island broke out “F— the Mormons” chants mid-game.
The two teams met with Providence mired in a three-game losing streak, while BYU was off to a 6-1 start. Here’s video of the fans’ chant during the game.
Providence would go on to win the game 83-64. It was the first win for the Friars over BYU in three tries, but the first game since Dec. 21, 1982 in Provo, Utah.
Providence athletic director Steven Napolillo took to X to apologize to the BYU men’s basketball team, their coaches and their fans, for what he called “unacceptable chants by our student body tonight… we are sorry.”
On the court, Bryce Hopkins made his season debut for Providence and played 26 minutes with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. He received a standing ovation when he left the game with 2:44 remaining. Hopkins averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 14 games last season.
BYU struggled in their first non-conference road game in the Eastern Time Zone since Nov. 15, 2007 when they defeated Princeton 65-56. BYU shot 33% from the field and 28% from three-point range. Egor Demin struggled mightily, going 0-10 from the field with only six points on the night.
BYU is now 6-2 and will try to bounce back in seven days against Fresno State on Wednesday, December 11th on ESPN+. All Big 12 fans can sign up here through our link for $10.99 per month, or save over 15% with an ESPN+ Annual Plan at $109.99 per year and cancel at any time.
