Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information 

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Coming off two close road losses, the University of Providence men's basketball team switches gears this week for a pair of Frontier Conference matchups. Argos will host MSU-Northern Thursday and travel to Rocky Mountain College Saturday.  

The Argos fell by six to No. 4 College of Idaho and by nine to Eastern Oregon, both at Caldwell, Idaho during the Taco Bell Shootout last weekend. Eric Milner was named the Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference player of the week after averaging 19.5 points in the two losses, including a career-high 23 against COI.  

Providence (5-3) has had the player of the week the last two weeks after Kenny Curtis won the week prior. Curtis leads the Argos in scoring at 16.5 points per game while Milner is next at 13.9. Jake Olsen is putting up solid numbers in the post averaging 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Sam Vining, who has yet to get super-hot from distance, is fourth on the team with 10.3 points per game. As a team, Providence is scoring 82.9 points per game while allowing 65.3 and has outrebounded its opponents by two.  

MSU-Northern is 7-0 in the early season and averaging 88.2 points each time out. The Lights lead the NAIA in scoring defense allowing just 54.2 points per game and are tops in the country holding opponents to just 34.1% shooting. Two players are scoring double digits on average for Northern with Tanner McCliment-Call (10.5) and Jesse Keltner (10.2) leading the way.  

Saturday's opponent, Rocky Mountain College, is 13th in the NAIA averaging 90.9 points per game and has outscored its opponents by a +25.9 advantage each contest. Six Battlin' Bears average double figures led by Kael Robinson's 14.7 pts per game.  

Providence Head Coach Steve Keller says the Argos are ready for league play, "We are very excited to play a couple of conference games to find out where we are as a team. We have not had a home game since October, so we are looking forward to playing a game on our home court.  

"I feel like our nonconference schedule has prepared us for these two conference games this week. Both teams have had a very good preseason and are coached by two very good coaches in Shawn Huse and Bill Dreikosen." 

Thursday's game at the McLaughlin Center starts at 7 PM, Saturday's game at Rocky is scheduled for 4 PM. Both games will be available to stream at www.upargos.com.  

Thurdsay night, fans are encouraged to wear green for Mental Health Awareness.