GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The No. 10 Lewis-Clark State Warriors faced a tough challenge in No. 23 Providence in their first contest of 2019. The Warriors suffered just their second loss on the season, first of conference play, as they fell to the Argos 89-76.
Cordel Hankerson found Josiah Westbrook early in the half to get LC on the board, but it was the Argos how maintained control in the first few minutes of the first half. Damek Mitchell hit his second 3 of the game with just over 16 on the clock to kick the LC offense into gear before a triple from Race Martin put the Warriors in front 14-13 at 15:09.
A dunk from Dana Abe sparked an eight-point that had LC up 23-16 with 12:13 to play in the half. Abe threw down another massive dunk just under the 11 minute mark to maintain the offensive surge for LC and spark a six-point rally that had LC up 29-18 half way through the first period.
The Argos battled back late in the period to cut the LC lead to three at 34-31 with four to play. Providence took a 39-38 lead with two minutes left in the half. The Warriors trailed 41-40 at the half.
MItchell drew first blood for LC in the second half, giving the Warriors a 42-41 lead to begin the period. After Providence battled back to regain the lead, Cory Dollarhide hit a deep triple to even things at 46 a piece with 18:25 remaining in the half. Dollarhide remained active with a layup to put LC in front 48-46 less than 30 seconds later. Martin capped the eight-point run with a 3 to grow the lead to five.
Martin answered a deep 3 by the Argos with one of his own to keep LC in front by a slim margin at 59-55 with under 14 to go. Providence struck for four-straight to even things yet again before hitting a trey to go ahead 62-59 at the 12:50 mark.
The Argo offense could not be stopped as they made seemingly every big shot they took. They Warriors struggled to find the net and fell 89-76.
"Tonight we took one on the chin to a very talented Providence team," Head Coach Austin Johnson said. "Credit to them for playing so well offensively, but we need to take strides to improve defensively as individuals and as a team."
Abe led the Warriors in scoring with 21 points after shooting an efficient 10-15. Mitchell was just behind wit 20 points and led the team with five boards. Martin also notched double-digits points with 13 including three 3-pointers. He was 5-6 overall and 3-4 from beyond the arc.
Jalen Shepard led the Argos with a game-high 23 points.
The 89 points Providence scored are the most the Warriors have allowed all season. They were outshot 59.7 percent to 50 percent, and outrebounded 29-23.
"We need to be able to learn from this, but also be able to put it behind us, as we have a tremendous challenge at Northern tomorrow night," Johnson said.
LC has a quick turnaround when they face MSU-Northern tomorrow at 7 p.m. PST in Havre, Mont.
