GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball survived a late comeback attempt from Our Lady of the Lake as the Argos (3-2) defeated the Saints (4-2) 88-87 Friday night in the McLaughlin Center.
The Argos had a lead by as many as 15 points in the second-half, but the Saints wouldn't quit as they kept slowly chipping away to cut it to two points with 4:34 remaining. The Argos managed to get the lead up to nine points again, but the Saints battled back, cutting the lead to three with 38 seconds left. The Argos played the free throw game, going three of four from the line to give the team an 86-82 lead with 13 seconds remaining.
Ellis Jones got an offensive putback off a missed three-pointer for the Saints, cutting the lead to two with three seconds remaining.
Rashee Stocks got fouled, but hit two free throws to ice the game and secure the win. The Saints made a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut the lead to one as time expired.
"That's a big win for us right now with this new team and the new guys that we got," head coach
Steve Keller said. "That's a good basketball team we just beat. I'm real happy for the guys."
Marcus Stephens, who was battling an injury all week in practice, led the team in scoring with 23 points, 18 of which came in the first-half. Stocks recorded 15 points for the Argos, while
Dawson Fowler filled the stat sheet with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and an astounding five blocks.
Jake Olsen had a double-double for the squad, recording 13 points and 11 boards.
"Our starters have been doing it all year long," Keller said. "We're sharing the ball, we had 18 assists tonight. Marcus didn't hardly practice a lot this week and he had a great first half to get us that cushion. We made some clutch plays."
The Argos will conclude their doubleheader tomorrow, with a 7:00 p.m. home game against Northwest in the McLaughlin Center.
"We're going to enjoy this one tonight and then be ready to go tomorrow," Keller said. "They're a good team. We're going to have to be ready to go."
