GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program fell to Rocky Mountain College 75-71 Thursday night.

The Battlin' Bears (13-2) scored the first point of the game off a free throw, but an 8-1 run from the Argos (7-8) behind a pair of three-pointers from senior Mike Wright Jr. put UP ahead 8-3.

The Argos maintained that edge over the next six minutes until five straight from Rocky Mountain tied the game at 14.

UP answered immediately with a pair of baskets from senior Nikolajs Atanasovs and junior Ryan Chavez, and following a basket from the Battlin' Bears, jumpers from seniors Jamil Bowles and Dylan Hushaw made it 25-16 with just over six minutes remaining in the half.

The Battlin' Bears cut the lead to seven, but the Argos ended the first half on an 11-2 run to take a 44-28 lead into the break. Senior Antoine Boyd Jr. led all scorers with 12 points in the first half.

The Argos opened the scoring in the second half with a pair of free throws from Chavez, but a 20-0 run from RMC put the Battlin' Bears ahead 48-46.

UP responded with a three from Wright Jr. and following a pair of free throws from Rocky Mountain, a jumper from Wright Jr. and a layup from Hushaw put the Argos in front 55-50.

Both sides traded baskets until seven straight from the Battlin' Bears put RMC ahead 63-62 with five minutes remaining.

The Argos retook the lead with a pair of free throws from senior Jamil Bowles and a layup from Wright Jr., but eight straight from the Battlin' Bears put RMC ahead 71-66 with just over one minute left.

A three-pointer from freshman Quinn Swanson cut the lead to two, but the Battlin' Bears made their free throws down the stretch as UP fell to Rocky Mountain College 75-71.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 11 when they travel to Dillon, Mont. for a matchup with Montana Western. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Straugh Gymnasium.