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TOURNAMENT INFORMATION | 2024 CANCUN CHALLENGE | NOV. 28-30 | VS. VCU, WISCONSIN, AND SAN DIEGO STATE
The Providence College women’s basketball team is set to embark on a thrilling journey as they make their first-ever appearance at the esteemed Cancun Challenge. This prestigious tournament will take place from November 28 to 30, featuring three exciting matchups against VCU, Wisconsin, and San Diego State. All games will tip off at 11:00 a.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico.
FRIARS VS. THE TOURNAMENT FIELD…
The Friars have compiled a notable 1-1 record against the Cancun Challenge tournament field. Their upcoming matchup against VCU on November 28 will mark the first encounter between the two teams in program history. Providence leads the all-time series against Wisconsin with a 1-0 record, while trailing San Diego State 0-1. This tournament offers a unique opportunity for the Friars to test their skills against formidable opponents and gain valuable experience.
FRIARS SNAP TWO-GAME SKID WITH WIN OVER DELAWARE…
Providence successfully snapped a two-game losing streak by securing a 60-53 victory over Delaware on November 24. The win marked a much-needed momentum boost for the Friars, who had suffered consecutive single-digit losses to Boston College (67-60) and Dayton (65-61). Stellar performances from Grace Efosa, MacKayla Scarlett, Marta Morales Romero, and Olivia Olsen contributed to the team’s success. Efosa led the way with an impressive 16 points, while Scarlett scored a season-high 11 points. Morales Romero chipped in with nine points, and Olsen fell just short of a double-double with seven points and a team-high nine rebounds.
LEADING AT THE HALF…
The Friars have demonstrated their ability to hold a strong lead at halftime, doing so in five of their six games. Their impressive 3-2 record in such contests showcases their capacity to capitalize on early momentum. However, the Friars have struggled when trailing at the half, holding a 0-1 record in such scenarios.
GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL…
Graduate student guard Grace Efosa earned her first weekly accolades of the season, being named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on November 25. Efosa’s outstanding performance over the past two games earned her a spot on the prestigious list. She averaged 18.0 points per game, shooting an impressive 14-19 (.737) from the field, while adding 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game.
20 POINT GAMES…
Grace Efosa stands out as the only Friar to surpass the 20-point mark this season, achieving this feat in two games. Her season-high 22 points on 8-10 shooting against Dayton on November 21 marked her second 20+ point game of the season and sixth of her career.
DOUBLE-TROUBLE…
Olivia Olsen has solidified her position as a dominant force in the league, boasting two double-doubles through six games. Her performance ties her for the league lead with Kilyn McGuff (Butler). Olsen’s impressive rebounding skills were on full display as she hauled in 18 boards against Boston College, just four shy of the Providence College single-game record set by Britt King ’86.
NINE DIFFERENT FRIARS CRACK THE STARTING LINE-UP…
A diverse range of Friars have made their mark on the starting lineup, with nine different players cracking the starting five. Graduate student Grace Efosa stands out as the only player to start in all six games.
GRACE EFOSA PACES THE FRIARS’ OFFENSE…
As the team’s primary scorer, Grace Efosa boasts an impressive 15.5 points per game average through six games. Her consistent performance has been a driving force behind the Friars’ success, with Efosa scoring 14-or-more points in each of the last five games. Her season-high 22 points against Dayton on November 21 marked her second 20+ point game of the season and sixth of her career.
GRACE EFOSA LEADS THE BIG EAST IN FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE…
Efosa’s exceptional shooting ability has earned her the top spot in the BIG EAST for field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive 62.7% from the floor (37-59). Her remarkable efficiency places her alongside UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who boasts a 62.1% shooting percentage (41-66).
OLIVIA OLSEN SCORES 1,000-TH POINT…
Olivia Olsen achieved a milestone in her career, scoring her 1,000th career point on November 17 against Boston College. She became the 38th player in program history to reach this milestone and currently ranks 36th on the Friars’ all-time scoring list with 1,015 career points.
CLIMBING THE LADDER…
Olivia Olsen continues to climb the Friars’ all-time rebounding list, currently ranking 16th with 690 boards. Olsen stands just 21 rebounds shy of moving into 15th place, a spot currently occupied by Mary Casey ’79, who recorded 710 rebounds in 89 games from 1975-79.
OLIVIA OLSEN HAULS IN CAREER-HIGH 18 BOARDS AT BOSTON COLLEGE…
On November 17, Olivia Olsen set a new career high with 18 rebounds against Boston College. Her impressive performance marks the highest single-game rebounding total by a BIG EAST player this season, with 18 boards falling just four shy of the Providence College single-game record set by Britt King ’86.
CLEANING THE GLASS…
As the top-returning rebounder in the BIG EAST Conference from a season ago, Olivia Olsen continues to dominate the boards. She averaged 8.5 rebounds per game last season and has maintained an impressive 9.5 rebounds per contest average through six games this season.
HEART AND SOUL…
Senior forward Emily Archibald has been a driving force for the Friars, playing in all six games with five appearances in the starting lineup. Known for her selfless play and all-out effort on the court, Archibald has solidified her position as a fan favorite in Friartown. She leads the team and ties for ninth among BIG EAST players in steals (2.2 spg) while ranking second on the team in rebounding (4.5 rpg) and adding 3.7 points per game.
ROOKIE IMPACT…
Freshman Orlagh Gormley has made a significant impact in her rookie season, ranking second on the team in assists (2.3 apg) and in steals (1.7 spg). Gormley also stands fourth in rebounding (3.2 rpg) and sixth in scoring (5.2 ppg), boasting an impressive assist/turnover ratio of 2.80 through six games.
DOUBLE DIGITS…
Eight of the 14 active players on the Friars’ roster have scored in double figures at least once this season. Grace Efosa leads the team with five double-digit scoring games, with Brynn Farrell trailing closely behind with three.
ROAD WARRIORS…
The Friars are set to embark on a challenging stretch, playing seven of their next eight games on the road. Their sole home game during this period will be on November 24 against Delaware, before heading to the Cancun Challenge and facing Rhode Island on December 4.
OLIVIA OLSEN NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL…
Senior forward Olivia Olsen garnered her first weekly honor roll appearance of the season and sixth of her career on November 18. Olsen’s impressive performance, averaging 9.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.5 blocked shots per game, earned her a spot on the prestigious list.
OLIVIA OLSEN AND GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST TEAM…
Olivia Olsen and Grace Efosa were featured on the 2024-25 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, announced at the league’s annual media day on October 23. Both players played pivotal roles for the Friars last season, with Olsen earning All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and Efosa finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounding.
FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN BIG EAST PRESEASON COACHES POLL…
The Providence College women’s basketball team was predicted to finish third in the 2024-25 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released at the league’s annual media day in New York City on October 23.
ERIN BATTH ERA…
Coach Erin Batth marked her arrival as the 11th women’s basketball coach in program history at Providence College on March 20, 2023. With 17 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience under her belt, Batth brings a wealth of expertise to the table, previously coaching at NC State, Michigan, Liberty, Georgia State, Tennessee Tech, and Towson.
FORMER FRIAR JOVANA NOGIC ’19 HEADLINED SERBIA’S ROSTER FOR 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES IN PARIS…
Former Friar standout Jovana (Yoyo) Nogic ’19 represented her native Serbia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Guiding Serbia to a sixth-place finish, Nogic averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 2.8 rebounds per game.
