LEWISTON, Idaho - Lewis-Clark State College men's basketball coach Brandon Rinta and his players almost don't need a scouting report on their first-round Frontier Conference Tournament opponent - University of Providence.

The teams have played three times but the Tuesday 7 p.m. match at the Activity Center will mean the most - continuing on to the semifinals and keeping alive their hopes of an automatic bid into the NAIA national champions. While the Warriors have won two of the three meetings, Rinta knows the task ahead isn't an easy one.

"It is going to be interesting to see how this conference tournament plays out," he said. "This is the deepest this conference has been."

The LC-Providence series is evidence of that. The Warriors won by nine and seven points at home, while the Argos netted a three-point decision at Great Falls.

"We've had three tough games against Providence," Rinta said. "I expect this one to be the same. They are a deep and athletic team that can defend."

In their first meeting, LC won 67-60 behind 19 points from Damek Mitchell – one of three Warriors to reach double figures. The Argos were led by Jared Schultz as four Providence players hit double figures. LC shot 54.8 percent from the fi eld in that victory, which wasn't truly secure until Cordel Hankerson hit a free throw with 11 seconds left for the final margin.

Their next game was in late January at Great Falls. It was another back-and-forth battle with the Argos making four free throws in the fi nal 24 seconds to secure the win. Cordel Hankerson and Race Martin had 14 points each for the Warriors; DuShaun Rice led Providence with 16. LC shot a solid 45.5 percent from the field but had 14 turnovers.

LC avenged that loss in early February by winning by nine points at home. The Warriors shot 56.6 percent from the fi eld with Andre McCowan dropping in 23 off eight-of-11 field goal  shooting, which included three 3-point fi eld goals. Steven Daho-Clark had 16 to lead Providence.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $7 for general admission and $10 for reserved seats.