CHANDLER, Ariz. – The OUAZ men's basketball team had its best-ever day shooting the ball from beyond the arc, but a late run for Providence saw the Montana team pull out a 91-79 win over the Spirit at the Cactus Classic on Saturday afternoon at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
 
OUAZ (2-8) made a school record 16 3-pointers in the game. They ended the day shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and 41.5 percent overall. The Spirit also committed just 10 turnovers in the game.
 
Brian King Jr. led the record 3-point effort by setting a school record himself with eight makes from deep on 14 attempts. King scored a game-high 33 points – his second 30-point outing of the season – with 25 coming in the second half. He also led the Spirit with nine rebounds and added four assists.
 
Down nine late in the first half, OUAZ would use the scoring of King to build a five-point cushion with 10:34 remaining in the second half. The teams would trade runs over the next five minutes and with 4:50 to play the score was level at 76-76. Providence (9-2) would then score the game's next 13 points to secure the victory.
 
Marcus Williams would add 19 points – with four 3-pointers – for the Spirit. He also distributed a team-best six assists. Dimetres Moore scored 12 points.
 
The Argos shot 48.5 percent from the field with 15 makes from distance. They had a 46-33 edge in rebounds and tallied 36 points in the paint. Three Providence players scored 20-plus points with Austin Starr leading the team with 25.
 
OUAZ will now take some time off for the holiday break before returning to action on December 29 when they host Embry-Riddle at Willow Canyon High School at 2 p.m.