Rams out to end Friars' domination

PROVIDENCE — Not since the 1960s has Providence College enjoyed command of its rivalry with the University of Rhode Island like this.

It was the first golden age of basketball for the Friars, one that included a pair of National Invitation Tournament championships and three straight NCAA Tournament berths. All-time greats such as Vin Ernst, John Thompson and Jimmy Walker dominated the court at Alumni Hall while coach Joe Mullaney walked the sidelines, leading his program to new heights.

Providence’s seven straight wins over the Rams during that span — including season sweeps in 1963, 1964 and 1965 when the teams met twice annually — have stood for more than 50 years, a period of dominance…