HAVRE, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated Montana State University Northern 76-66 Thursday night.

The Argos (9-8) scored the first basket of the game when senior Jevon Burton tipped in the second chance opportunity.

The Skylights (9-8) would respond immediately with a basket of their own, but layups from Burton and senior Davien Harris-Williams put UP ahead 6 -2.

Each side would trade jumpers but another layup from Harris-Williams put the Argos ahead 12-6 five minutes into the first half.

MSU-Northern would answer with a pair of jumpers, but a three by Burton and a fastbreak layup from senior Jaylin Reed made it 21-12 midway through the first half.

Following a layup by the Skylights, back-to-back layups from senior Jake Olsen pushed the Argo lead to 11.

MSU-Northern would respond with a 10-4 run to cut the lead to five, but a pair of layups from Reed gave the Argos a 38-31 lead going into the break.

The Argos would score the first basket of the second half when Harris-Williams found junior Kenny Curtis for a jumper.

The Skylights would answer with a layup, but a basket from Olsen and an and one from Burton extended the Argo lead to 12.

A 5-0 run by MSU-Northern cut the lead to seven, but free throws from junior Drayton Caoile and a pair of layups from senior Freddy Brown III extended the lead to 13 midway through the second half.

The Skylights would slowly cut into the Argo lead, but a pair of layups by Olsen kept UP ahead by 11 with three minutes left.

Despite a late three from MSU-Northern, the Argos made their free throws down the stretch as UP defeated MSUN 76-66. Reed and Harris-Williams paced the Argos scoring 17 points each.

The Argos will be back in action Jan. 20 when they host #8 Montana Tech. Tip-off versus the Orediggers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.