(Editor's note: University of Providence media release)
GREAT FALLS-- The University of Providence men's basketball team, led by a pair of local Great Falls kids coming off the bench, romped Montana Western 95-62 during the first round of the Frontier Conference playoffs Tuesday night.
Senior Jake Wetzel led the Argos with 16 points, while Jake Olsen scored 15 points and recorded nine rebounds. Brandon Cotton recorded 14 points, while Jaxen Hashley scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, also from Great Falls, scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded four steals.
"How about those Great Falls guys?" head coach Steve Keller said. "Jake Olsen with 15 and nine and Jake Wetzel with 16 on five 3s. It was a total team effort. Jake Olsen came off the bench, and for him to get 15 and nine, that's incredible. Good effort on his part. Brandon played exceptional. I thought everybody played well."
At one point in the game, Keller played four Argos from Great Falls when Caleb Currington joined Wetzel, Olsen and Darko-Kelly on the floor.
"I didn't mean for that to happen," Keller said, "but it was pretty cool."
As a team, the Argos recorded 19 assists compared to nine turnovers. On the flip side, they forced 13 Bulldog turnovers, while only allowing 12 assists.
The win was a big win momentum-wise for the Argos (24-7), who ended the regular season with two losses. Providence will travel to Helena on Friday for a match-up against Carroll College at 7 p.m. The Argos are 1-2 against the Fighting Saints on the season, losing both times on the road.
"Getting a win and playing the way we did, we're back on track," Keller said. "We get another shot at Carroll Friday night. They're tough on their court. That's what we have to do. We have to try and go and play with them."
