Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated Dickinson State 78-63 in the Green & Gold Classic Friday night.
 
The Argos (7-6) scored the first points of the game when senior Davien Harris-Williams found senior Jake Olsen for a dunk.
 
UP would extend their lead to four behind a layup by Harris-Williams but a three-pointer by the Blue Hawks (6-6) cut the Argo lead to one.

A layup by Olsen made it 6-3, but Dickinson State would answer with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game 10-6.

The Blue Hawks would continue their momentum extending their lead to 11 until a pair of layups by senior Freddy Brown III and a free throw from junior Kenny Curtis cut the lead to six.

Both sides would trade buckets but threes by junior Drayton Caoile and Curtis retook the lead for the Argos 27-26.   

In the final minute of the first half a layup by senior Caleb Currington and free throws by Caoile gave the Argos a 35-32 lead going into the break.

Senior Jaylin Reed would open the second half with a layup, and following a three by the Blue Hawks, a pair of jumpers by Harris-Williams and a three by Reed gave UP a 44-35 lead.

UP would stay hot extending their run to 16-2 behind an and one from Reed and a three from Brown III. Reed scored eight points in the first three minutes of the second half.

The Blue Hawks would cut into the lead, but a dunk by Olsen and a jumper by Harris-Williams made it 61-43.

Dickinson State would answer with a three, but back-to-back jumpers by senior Jevon Burton increased the Argo lead back to 17.

Despite a late run from the Blue Hawks, UP was able to hold off Dickinson State to win their opening matchup at the Green & Gold Classic 78-63.

The Argos had four double-digit scorers with Olsen leading the way with 15 points, Reed with 13 points, Burton with 11, and Brown III with 10.

The Argos will be back in action Dec. 30 for the Green & Gold Classic finale versus Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Lockwood High School in Billings, Mont.