GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated Montana Western 81-73 Saturday afternoon.

The Argos (13-13) scored the first basket of the game when senior Sam Vining took the ball all the way to the hoop for a layup.

The Bulldogs (12-14) would respond with a 13-2 run, but a layup from senior Davien Harris-Williams made it a seven-point game.

Both teams would go back and forth over the next eight minutes until a floater from Harris-Williams and a layup from Olsen cut the lead to three.

Montana Western added a basket to end the half as the Argos went into the break trailing the Bulldogs 36-30.

Harris-Williams would score the first points of the second half, and following a three from UMW, layups from Olsen and Harris-Williams brought the game within three.  

The Argos would make it a 9-0 run following a three from Vining and a layup from the Bulldogs on the other end tied the game at 41.

There would be four lead changes over the next five minutes until a dunk from Olsen and a three from Burton gave the Argos a 50-46 lead.

Following baskets by both sides, three-pointers from Harris-Williams and senior Caleb Currington extended the Argo lead to nine midway through the second half.

The Argos would continue their momentum with a turnaround jumper from Vining and free throws from Harris-Williams to make it 62-49 with seven minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs would cut the lead to six but a layup from Burton and a three from Harris-Williams pushed the UP advantage back out to 11.

A late run from Montana Western would cut the lead to five, but with a minute left a three-pointer from Burton secured the 81-73 victory for the Argos. Harris-Williams led the way for UP with 32 points. 

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 22 when they host MSU-Northern. Tip-off versus the Skylights is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.