Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The University of Providence men battled back from an 18-point first half deficit to pull to within a point late but could not get over the hump and the stellar 45-year coaching career of Steve Keller ended with a 103-95 loss to No. 10-ranked Montana Tech Tuesday night in the Frontier Conference Championship in Great Falls.
The top-seed Orediggers led 54-36 with just under four minutes left in the first half only to see the Argos go on a 19-8 run over the final minutes to cut the lead to seven points with a Marcus Stephens three-pointer just before the half. Sam Vining hit three threes; Davien Harris-Williams added another during the stretch to overcome a hot-shooting Tech team that finished the half making over 63% from the floor. Asa Williams made three from long range as part of a 12-point first half in which four Orediggers scored in double figures. Vining and Kenny Curtis each had 12 in the first 20 minutes with Stephens right behind with 10.
Providence outscored Tech 9-4 over the first three minutes of the half to close to within 66-64 on another Stephens triple. The Orediggers lead would grow back to nine with 10:29 to play when the Argos went on a 9-1 run in less than two minutes, cutting the deficit to a single point after an Eric Milner free throw. Williams hit another three for Tech to stop the run and the Argos would get no closer than four the rest of the way.
"I am ok," said Keller after the game. "That was my last game. I told them (the team) thanks. You know, we got into this championship game.
"I am done for now. We will see if someone wants me to come to help coach. This has been my life, coaching for 45 years," added Keller while fighting back emotions.
Montana Tech won a second straight Frontier tournament title and did it thanks to a 41 of 66 (62.1%) effort from the field, made 12 of 22 from distance and converted just nine of 18 at the free throw line. Williams led all scorers with 23 points making 5-8 from the three-point line and grabbed eight rebounds. Caleb Bellach added 15 points as seven Orediggers scored in double digits. Tech will host a first and second round regional pod in the upcoming NAIA National Championships with the top 16 winners advancing to the final site of Kansas City, Missouri.
Keller spoke highly of Montana Tech saying that the Argos played a great basketball team that "will go a long way in that tournament"
Providence ends the season 14-16 overall and surprised many by finishing second in the league after being picked last by the Frontier coaches in the preseason. The Argos were led in the loss by Stephens who scored 22 points with seven rebounds and made four three-pointers. Davien Harris-Williams scored 21 points with four deep threes, six rebounds and three steals. Curtis added 20 points, Vining made four triples ending the game with 14 points and tying Curtis with three assists. Jake Olsen had 10 points and four boards.
For Keller, a five-time winner of the Frontier Coach of the Year award, an impressive high school and college coaching career comes to a close with 925 combined wins. "I don't know what the next chapter is, but I am going to hit it head on."
