GREAT FALLS, Mont. – After sweeping Montana Tech in it's first two games of the season, the #14^th ranked University of Providence men's basketball will return to Great Falls for their home opener this weekend against Carroll College.

In both games earlier this week, the Argos (2-0) jumped out to dominant first half leads, but allowed the Orediggers (3-4, 3-2) to climb back in the game. The Argos managed to compose themselves and come away with two victories. Despite the second-half lapses, head coach Steve Keller was proud of how his team recovered and was able to find a way to win both games. 

"We got two road wins so that's huge," he said. "I'm pleased. They've been off from March to September. We're two and half months behind everybody else. I felt like there were stretches where we were very good and stretches that we weren't very good. We're not in game shape yet, but that'll come."

What's most exciting to Keller is the five different guys that are averaging double-figures. The Argos are led by Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, who is averaging a double-double with 19.5 points and 14 rebounds a game. Cap Uzan (17.0 ppg), Davien Harris-Williams (15.0 ppg), Marcus Stephens (14.0 ppg), and Jaxen Hashley (10.0 ppg) are all averaging double-figures.

"We seem to be able to have more guys that can get two points," Keller said. "We made some great passes, shared the ball. Tech was locked in Z, started denying him the ball. They were doing a pretty good job on him. When you have four other guys that are scoring in double-figures, that helps lighten the load for him a lot."

The entire roster in general has Keller excited about his team this season.

"Dawson Fowler, he hasn't put up big numbers for us but he guards the best player for us every night," he said. "We know he's capable of scoring for us. Jake Olsen has done a great job when Jaxen goes to the bench. Rashee Stocks has been injured so he's behind a bit but he started 26 games for us last year. I like our guys that are starting right now and how balanced we are. When we bring in our bench there is not a lot of letdown. That's important in this league."

The Argos will have a handful this weekend. The Fighting Saints (5-3, 2-2) are led by Jovan Sljivancanin and Shamrock Campbell, who are both averaging over 17 points per game. On the defensive end, the Saints are ranked third in the nation in total rebound defense and 7^th in points allowed per game.

 "We're going to have to play solid defense against them," Keller said. "We're going to have to keep them off the boards. They're long, athletic and attack the offensive glass. Obviously we have to do a good job on Jovan and Shamrock. They're averaging almost 40 points a game between the two of them. We have to try and do a decent job on them. They also have other guys that can score too. They're good."

The games this weekend will not be open to the general public due to COVID-19. All University of Providence home athletic events will be streamed free of charge on www.upargos.com