GREAT FALLS, Mont. – In the semifinals of the Frontier Conference Playoffs, the #10 University of Providence men's basketball team defeated Montana State-Northern 63-56  to advance to the Frontier Conference Championship.

Both teams played solid defensively, holding each other under 40% from the field. The Argos limited the three-point opportunities for the Lights, holding them to 1/25 from beyond the arc and 35.4% from the field. On the flip side, the Argos shot 5/19 from the three-point line, 37.5% from the field and 11/13 from the free-throw line. 

"It was a physical game," head coach Steve Keller said. "They played good defense. I thought we played good defense at times. They went 1/25 from three. We weren't much better but we just found a way. We got to the free throw line a bit in the second half and that helped us get a cushion."

Zaccheus Darko-Kelly led the way with 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists. He also reached an important milestone in his career, eclipsing 1,000 points as an Argo with an emphatic dunk to start the game.

"When we need a bucket we go to him," Keller said. "He scored a big bucket right at the end there. I'm proud of him."

Cap Uzan finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists while Marcus Stephens scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds. David Harris led the Lights with 21 points, six rebounds and three steals. CJ Nelson chipped in 11 points.

The win propels the Argos into the Frontier Conference Championship Game, where they'll take on their rival Carroll after the Fighting Saints topped the Orediggers from Montana Tech. The game will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the McLaughlin Center.

"We get to host the Frontier Conference Championship game," Keller said. "That's awesome for our kids and that's awesome for our program. I'm real proud of them. Now we just have to take care of business at home."