Marshon Brooks scored 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and handed out six assists, and host Providence used a key 9-2 run midway through the second half to pull away from Morgan State, 77-55, on Thursday night.

The Friars (3-0), who led only 29-25 at halftime, outscored Morgan State (1-1) 48-30 in the second half despite shooting just 39.4 percent from the field (28-of-71) and just 1-of-16 from behind the arc.

Vincent Council started the decisive spurt with a jumper and Brooks capped it with a three-point play for a 53-44 lead with 9:04 left. Kadeem Batts and Council added 14 points apiece for Providence and Bilal Dixon was a force inside with 12 rebounds and five blocks.

Providence, which struggled most of last year on defense, held Morgan State to just 30.6 percent shooting, blocked 11 shots and forced 18 turnovers.

Kevin Thompson paced Morgan State with 14 points and 10 rebounds.