A.J. Reeves totaled 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as Providence rolled to a 68-53 win over visiting nonconference opponent Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon.

Justin Minaya added 14 points and Noah Horchler scored 12 with 10 rebounds for the Friars (10-1), who earned their fifth straight win and improved to 8-0 at home.

Providence shot 43.1 percent from the field (28 of 65) and 23.1 percent from 3-point range (6 of 26).

Tre Mitchell scored a team-high 15 off the bench for Central Connecticut State (2-8), which fell for the third time in four games. Nigel Scantlebury contributed nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Blue Devils were limited to 28.1 percent shooting from the floor (18 of 64) and 25.9 percent from 3-point range (7 of 27).

Providence led 44-25 at halftime and kept its foot on the gas with an 11-3 run to open the final period.

The Friars led 63-34 after Alyn Breed's two free throws with 11:35 remaining. The Blue Devils rattled off eight straight points and 12 of the next 14 overall to pull within 65-46.

Scantlebury's trey with 1:17 to play brought the visitors within 68-53, but the Blue Devils couldn't bridge the gap.

Horchler's 3-pointer with 16:02 left in the opening period capped a 12-0 game-opening run for the Friars.

Minaya knocked down a corner 3 with less than two seconds to play before the break to cap his 12-point opening half. Horchler added 10 first-half points for the Friars.

The Friars improved to 7-2 in the all-time series against the Blue Devils.

Providence guard Jared Bynum missed his fourth straight game after being a game-time decision with an ankle injury.

Central Connecticut State completes its three-game road trip at Stony Brook on Tuesday. The Friars open their Big East conference slate next Saturday at No. 15 UConn.

--Field Level Media