GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence rolls into the 2020 New Year with a full slate of Frontier Conference match ups.

On Thursday, Jan 9, 2020 Montana State Northern will be the first game of the new year for the Argos. UP will host the Lights and Sky Lights starting at 5:30 PM with the women's game sponsored by McDonalds of Great Falls and the men's game will start at 7:30 PM sponsored by Northwestern Energy.

The Argo women are coming off two non-conference wins and head into conference play with a 9-5 overall record but are 0-2 in conference, losing to Rocky Mountain College and University of Montana Western in early December.

Head Coach Bill Himmelberg has two 1000-point scorers on his team. Parker Esary is going into the new year with 1084 points and Emilee Maldonado reached the 1000-point mark with 1008.

"Our team will be well rested and we look forward to protecting our home court," Himmelberg said. "This is a big match up for us as we start the 2020 season. Northern is a well coached-team that gives us problems, but we'll be ready."

For the men's basketball team, they have yet to see a team that has outscored them. Argo men are unbeaten at 14-0 and looking very strong so far into conference play. The Argos are led by Zaccheus Darko–Kelly. "Z" has scored 277 points in the 13 games played this season. Point guard Brandon Cotton is putting together some quality numbers; 194 points (14.92 avg), currently shooting 41 percent behind the 3-point line, (22-54), and 36-43 from the free throw line for 84%. 

Head Coach Steve Keller has brought together a team that can score but has been working very hard on improving the team defense. "I'm looking forward to the Frontier Conference season," he said. "We have improved with each contest and we know how tough this conference is. We are looking forward to playing MSU Northern and Carroll College right away in the new year." 

It will be a great couple of contests so get to the McLaughlin Center early and enjoy the pre-game and half-time fan player interaction. Both teams will travel to Helena for match ups against Carroll College to complete the first conference weekend of 2020.