HELENA, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program fell to #16 Oregon Tech 90-77 Friday afternoon.

The Argos (0-1) scored the first points of the game off a pull up jumper from senior Antoine Boyd Jr. but a layup on the other end from the Owls (1-0) tied the game at two.

Both teams would trade baskets until a pair of fast break layups from Oregon Tech put the Owls ahead 15-8, but UP would not go away with a three from senior Dylan Hushaw to cut the lead to four six minutes into the game.  

The Owls responded going on a 17-4 run to take a 34-17 lead midway through the first half.

The Argos quickly answered with a run of their own behind a three-pointer from junior Ryan Chavez and a layup from senior Jamil Bowles to make it 40-31 with five minutes remaining in the half.

The Owls outscored the Argos 9-3 the rest of the first as UP went into the break trailing 49-34.  Chavez and senior Nikolajs Atanasovs led the way for UP with eight points apiece in the first half.

The Argos opened the second half with a 5-0 run, but a 10-4 run from the Owls kept Oregon Tech ahead by 18.

UP was able to cut the lead to 10 after a pair of threes from Bowles and Hushaw, but the Owls quickly pushed their advantage back out to 16. Despite late pressure from UP, the Owls were able to maintain their lead the rest of the way as UP fell to #16 Oregon Tech 90-77.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 2 when they face Bushnell University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (MST) in Helena, Mont.