PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Kadeem Batts' career-high 27 points propelled Providence to a commanding 81-49 victory over Bryant on Monday night.

Bryce Cotton added 24 points in a dynamic performance for the Friars (2-0).

A strong first half gave the Friars a 47-21 advantage at the break. Batts had 23 of Providence's points in the opening 20 minutes, making 10 of 11 shots from the field and single-handedly outscoring the Bulldogs (0-2).

Bryant struggled on offense, missing its first 12 attempts from 3-point range and shooting just 7-of-22 in the half.

The Bulldogs cut their deficit to 16 points, 50-34, in the second half as the Friars went cold, but they recovered, as Cotton and LaDontae Henton stepped up for a combined 18 second-half points.

Alex Francis led the Bulldogs with 13 points and Frankie Dobbs contributed 12.