GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated MSU-Northern 61-59 Saturday night.

The Argos (11-11) scored the first basket of the game when senior Davien Harris-Williams took it all the way to the rim for a layup.

The Skylights (10-12) would respond with a layup of their own, but a putback layup from senior Freddy Brown III gave the Argos a 4-2 lead.

MSU-Northern took their first lead of the game following a 6-0 run but the Argos would tie the game at 10 after a pair of baskets from senior Jake Olsen.

Both teams would trade baskets the rest of the first half until a three from the Skylights gave MSU-Northern a 34-33 lead going into the break.

The Argos would open the second half with a three from senior Sam Vining, but a jumper from the Skylights tied the game at 36.

There would be five lead changes over the next six minutes until a three by senior Jaylin Reed put the Argos ahead 51-45.

MSU-Northern would answer with an and one, but threes from Harris-Williams and Reed put the Argos ahead by eight.

Both teams would go back and forth until a pair of baskets from the Skylights cut the lead to four with two minutes remaining.

MSU-Northern would hit a layup with thirty seconds remaining to make it a two-point game, but the Argos defense remained strong down the stretch as UP came away with the 61-59 victory. Harris-Williams led the way with 24 points and Reed added 14 as well.   

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 8 when travel to Butte, Mont. Tip-off versus #11 Montana Tech is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Kelvin Sampson Court.