Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information
BUTTE, Mont. - The University of Providence came back from a 15-point halftime deficit to take a lead late in the second half, only to see No. 12 Montana Tech, extend its home winning streak to 24 consecutive games with a 94-87 win over the Argos Thursday night in Frontier Conference play in Butte.
The Argos trailed 49-34 at the half thanks to a combined 22 points from Caleb Bellach and Michael Ure who each had 11 points as the Orediggers shot nearly 53% from the field. Providence was just 12 of 31 in the opening 20 minutes and was outrebounded 20-11.
The Tech lead would grow to as many as 17 points with 14:07 to play before Providence jumped back into it, cutting the lead to nine at the midway point on a Jake Olsen free throw. Olsen would tie the game at 75 all with an impressive dunk with 2:05 remaining and the Argos would take the lead 30 seconds later when Sam Vining hit a deep three. Two Eric Milner free throws would give Providence an 80-77 lead with 18 seconds left but a three-point play by Bellach would tie the game again with nine seconds left. Camdyn Larance had a chance to win it for Tech in regulation but would miss a pair of free throws with under two seconds on the clock to send the game to overtime.
In the extra session it was all Orediggers as four straight points from Hayden Diekhans would give the Orediggers the lead for good. Tech (19-3, 7-2) finished the game 43.6% from the field (34-78) and was just 4 of 23 from the three-point line, including 0-9 in the second half. Tech also made 22 of 28 from the charity stripe. Bellach led six Orediggers in double figures with 18 points, Ure scored 15, Diekhans and Bridger Larson had 14 apiece while Chrishon Dixon and Asa Williams each added 12.
Providence shot 29 of 67 from the floor (43.3%) and was over 55% in the second half. The Argos made 12 of 30 from distance and were 17-24 from the free throw line. Eric Milner led the way with a game-high 22 points, Davien Harris Williams added 20, Marcus Stephens scored 15 and had six assists, and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Providence was outscored in the paint 56-22.
The Argos fell for the first time in over two weeks and slip a game behind the Orediggers in the Frontier standings. Tech has won the first two meetings between the teams this season. Providence (12-10, 6-3) returns home to the McLaughlin Center Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. to host Carroll College. The Argos beat the Saints on Jan. 12 in Helena, 93-88. Carroll is 5-4 in the Frontier, 12-10 overall after beating Rocky 80-74 Thursday. Saturday's game will stream live at www.upargos.com.
