BILLINGS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated Dickinson State 89-86 in overtime in their opening game of the Green and Gold Classic Saturday night.

The Argos (5-7) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from senior Nikolajs Atanasovs, and following a layup from the Blue Hawks (6-6), a basket from senior Jamil Bowles put UP in front 4-2.

Both teams traded baskets until a 7-0 run from Dickinson State put the Blue Hawks in front by seven, and despite a few baskets from senior Antoine Boyd Jr., Dickinson State extended their lead to 11 the rest of the half as UP went into the break trailing 41-30.

The Argos started the second half outscoring the Blue Hawks 14-7 over the first six minutes behind 11 points from Bowles and Boyd Jr. to bring the game within four.

UP would continue their momentum cutting into the Blue Hawks lead to tie the game at 53 midways through the second half.

Neither team could grab a lead by more than four the rest of the half as Dickinson State and the Argos went into overtime tied at 66. 

The Argos opened overtime with an 8-0 run off a pair of three-pointers from junior Brendan Redhead and senior Dylan Hushaw, and despite late pressure from the Blue Hawks, the Argos made their free throws down the stretch as UP defeated Dickinson State 89-86 in overtime. Jamil Bowles led the way with 27 points and 14 rebounds and Antoine Boyd Jr. added 24 points.

The Argos will be back in action tomorrow, Dec. 29 for their final game of the Green and Gold Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Billings, Mont versus Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.