Balanced scoring effort leads Providence past Sacred Heart

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsThe Providence Friars cruised to an easy victory over the Sacred Heart Pioneers to open their season Tuesday evening at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, winning by a score of 106-60.

Seven different Friars scored at least ten points in the win, with Alpha Diallo leading the way with 19, to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds for his 17th career double-double. Diallo looks like he’s going to be a problem for fellow Big East teams this year, not unlike point guard Luwane Pipkins.

Pipkins set the tone early for the Friars, knocking down a pair of threes in the first few minutes of the game before finishing with 13 points (three three-pointers) and seven assists,…