BUTTE, Mont. – The second meeting of the season between (RV) LC State Men's Basketball and Providence (Mont.) featured a lot of intensity and a period of overtime, but it was the Argos that came away with an 85-75 victory. Newcomers led the way for LC State with
Keegan Crosby grabbing 15 rebounds and
Davian Brown scoring 22 points.
The Warriors led 44-38 at the half, but Providence gained the momentum in the second half before besting LC in overtime. LC State heads into conference play with a 3-3 record.
"Credit to Providence for making the right decisions and plays in the second half," Head Coach
Austin Johnson said. "They played to their identity and we did not respond in a connected, winning manner. We've learned a lot about ourselves in the non-conference portion of our schedule and hopefully we can apply what we've learned to the CCC schedule."
Oreon Courtney hit the first two LC State baskets to keep the Warriors within one, 5-4, before Crosby put LC in front with a free throw and layup three minutes in. Courtney added to the run to make it 9-5, and a 3 by Brown made it 12-9 at 14:11.
UP rallied to take a 20-16 lead by 10:11, but a 3-pointer by Brown brought the Warriors within one at 9:32. The two teams traded baskets for three minutes, taking turns scoring, before Courtney and
Anthony Peoples Jr. scored back-to-back layups to put LC ahead 34-31 at 4:54.
Courtney converted on a three-point play to bring the lead to 39-35 at 2:29 and Peoples Jr. added a triple in the final 20 seconds to send the Warriors into the locker room with a 44-38 lead.
Providence opened the second half with the first with the first three baskets to tie things up 44-44 at 16:34. Brown and Bennion got the Warriors on the board in the second frame with back-to-back 3s to put LC back in front 50-44 a minute later. Brown made it a 9-3 LC State run with the third LC State 3-pointer in two minutes.
UP tied the game once again, 55-55, with a 3 at 11:55. Courtney kept the score knotted 56-56 with a free throw at 11:08, but a pair of Argo 3s gave Providence a 62-57 lead with 8:46 left in the half.
Brown drained a pair of 3s to keep LC within three, 66-63, with 3:35 on the clock, and a free throw by Courtney and 3 by Crosby made it a one-point difference, 70-69, in the final minute. Bennion drained one of his biggest shots of the season with a contested 3-pointer to tie the game 72-72 with 2.8 seconds on the clock and force overtime.
The Argos opened the extra period with the first five points to take a 77-72 lead. Bennion dropped in a layup to cut the deficit to three with 2:48 to play. UP held on to take the contest 85-75.
Crosby notched his first double-double as a Warrior with an impressive 15 rebounds to go with 12 points. Brown led the scoring for LC with 22 points on seven 3-pointers and Courtney added 21 points.
UP NEXT
The Warriors open Cascade Conference play on Tuesday at home against Walla Walla. Tip-off in the P1FCU Activity Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.
