Redshirt-senior Jake Buonaiuto (Miller Place, N.Y.) led the attack with another four-goal effort, but a strong first half from Providence built the Friars a cushion in a 16-9 defeat of the Bryant University men's lacrosse team Saturday afternoon. Buonaiuto scored four goals to give him eight on the season and junior Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.) added two goals and two assists in the first of two games for the Ocean State Cup. GAME INFORMATION Providence 16, Bryant 9 Records: Bryant (0-2), Providence (3-0) Location: Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium (Providence, R.I.) KEY MOMENT Providence closed the first quarter on a 5-0 run and led the rest of the way. HOW IT HAPPENED The Friars got on the board 49 seconds into the contest and the Bulldogs answered on a Buonaiuto goal with 13:31 to play in the opening quarter. Providence scored the final five goals of the first quarter to lead 6-1 through 15 minutes. Buonaiuto would score twice in the second quarter and the Bulldogs received goals from senior Trevor Weingarten (Allendale, N.J.) and junior Austin Kent (Franklin, Mass.) to head to the halftime break trailing 11-5. The Friars scored the first goal out of the intermission before the Bulldogs responded with goals from redshirt-freshman Logan McGovern (Darien, Conn.) and junior Marc O'Rourke (Hingham, Mass.) to pull back within 12-7 with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter. Providence pushed its lead to 14-7 before O'Rourke and Buonaiuto answered to get Bryant back to a 14-9 deficit with 7:17 to play. The Friars got two goals back late in the fourth quarter for the final 16-9 margin. STATS Buonaiuto scored four goals for the second straight game to open 2020 and the third time in his career. McGovern added a career-high three assists and three ground balls to his goal. Redshirt-sophomore Dante Pasqualoni (South Windsor, Conn.) collected three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sophomore Luke Caracciolo (Centreville, Va.) made 10 saves. Providence outshot Bryant, 47-37. The Friars held a 44-23 advantage in ground balls. GAME NOTES Bryant drops to 7-4 all-time against Providence. Freshman Brody Rule (Lone Tree, Colo.) made his collegiate debut in the contest. UP NEXT Bryant plays the first of two regional midweek contests when Boston University visits Beirne Stadium Tuesday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available HERE and the game can be seen on NEC Front Row.