Argos sweep Northern in Great Falls

The regular season is winding down, and the clock is ticking for the Montana State University-Northern basketball teams.

On Thursday night in Great Falls, the MSU-Northern Skylights lost to No. 13 Providence, 75-69.

The first quarter was back and forth, with Ryley Kehr hitting a free throw to give the Skylights the lead by one (18-17)at the end of the quarter. The Skylights took that momentum into the second quarter outscoring the Argos 18-11. Providence took the third quarter, but the Skylights kept the lead by five. However, the Argos outscored Northern 31-20 the rest of the way to win the season series as well.

The Skylights were led by Taya Trottier who had 14 points going 4-6 from the field and six rebounds. Ryley Kehr who added 10 points. Savannah Toms added six rebounds.

The Argo's were led by Ashlee Maldonado who had 24 points with six assists. Keanna Salave'a added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Maddy Dixon added 19 points.

Northern is 11-16 overall and 5-9 in the Frontier heading into their regular season finale Saturday.

Great Falls wasn't any kinder to the MSU-Northern men, either.

The Lights lost to Providence, 75-65 Thursday night.

It was anyone's game at the beginning of the first half. The Argos made a 9-0 run to push the lead to 10 points early. They kept the lead going into halftime, 42-31. The Lights shot 30 percent from the field and 33 from the 3-point line in the first half. Providence shot 55 percent from the field and went 3-6 from the three.

And in the second half, the Argos never took their foot off the gas. The Lights briefly closed the gap to nine points, but Providence didn't let them get any closer as Northern fell to 3-11 in the Frontier Conference.

The Lights were led by Zackry Martinez who went 5-11 from behind the arc with 22 points. Xavier Bailey was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Dae'Kwon Watson added 11 points.

The Argos were led by Sam Vining who had 17 points and five rebounds. Jake Olsen had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Both Northern teams will close out the regular season with a doubleheader at Carroll College Saturday afternoon.