CHANDLER, Ariz. – The University of Providence men's basketball team missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have forced overtime, falling 86-83 at the hands of Antelope Valley in the team's first game at the Cactus Classic.

Down by as many as 14 points late in the second half, the Argos (7-4, 1-1) stormed back, with Caleb Currington hitting a three to cut the lead to six with 1:45 remaining. The team started playing the free throw game, and it worked, cutting the lead to three with 11 seconds left after a pair of Marcus Stephens free throws. On the inbound, Dawson Fowler took a charge from Antelope Valley's Tyler Murrell to give the Argos the ball with eight seconds remaining. A Stephens three-point attempt came up just short, giving the Pioneers (8-7, 0-0) the victory.

"We could have gotten beat by 20 and instead we had a chance to tie it and send it to overtime," head coach Steve Keller said. "I'm happy that we came back and did that. Give our guys a ton of credit."

Stephens led the team with 22 points, 18 of which came from the free throw line. He also added nine assists and six rebounds. Rashee Stocks finished with 17 points while Currington hit four three-pointers en route to finishing with 13 points.

The Pioneers (8-7, 0-0) were led by Tyler Murrell's 26 points. Elias Ezenekwe finished with 19 points and four steals while Derrick Green added 16 points. Justin Hill finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Argos will be back in action tomorrow with a game against Benedictine-Mesa, which will tip off at 4:00 p.m. MTN.

"We weren't ready to play from the get go today," Keller said. "We came out flat. Sometimes that's the case. The last five minutes we competed. We have to come out ready to play those first five minutes tomorrow and set the tone."