GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball program defeated #9 Montana Tech 77-67 Thursday night.

The Orediggers (20-3) scored the first two baskets of the game but a pair of baskets for the Argos (13-10) from seniors Jamil Bowles and Mike Wright Jr. gave UP a one-point lead.

The Argos increased their early lead with a 10-3 run after a three from Jamil Bowles, but over the next five minutes the Orediggers would fight back going on a 10-0 run of their own to take back the lead 21-18.

The Argos would outscore Tech 7-2 in the final two minutes of the half with buckets coming from senior Nikolajs Atanasovs, Wright Jr. and freshman Quinn Swanson to put UP in front 35-30 heading into the break.

The Argos scored the first points of the second half on a layup from senior Antoine Boyd Jr. to extend their lead to seven.

Over the next five minutes the Argos would take over with steals and baskets from Jamil Bowles, Antoine Boyd Jr. and junior Ryan Chavez, extending the Argos lead to 15 with 14 minutes left to play.

Antoine Boyd Jr. stayed hot for the Argos knocking down a pair of jumpers to extend the lead to 17 for the Argos with four minutes left to play.

UP held a comfortable lead the whole second half, and despite the Orediggers cutting the lead to 10 late, UP came away with the 77-67 victory over #9 Montana Tech.

Jamil Bowles led all scorers with 27 points and 16 rebounds while Antoine Boyd Jr. added 19 and Mike Wright Jr. with 14.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 8 when they return home to face Rocky Mountain College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.