GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Turnovers continue to be a game changer for the (14) University of Providence women's basketball team in an 82-55 loss to University of Montana Western. The Lady Argos tied their season high in turnovers with 25, while the Bulldogs dictated the pace of the game, forcing the Lady Argos to play faster than their normal system.

In the first five minutes of the game, the Lady Argos turned over the ball four times and the Bulldogs capitalized offensively shooting 3-3 from the 3-point line, gaining an early 14-point lead in the first six minutes.

Another 4 turnovers in the last four minutes of the first quarter allowed the Bulldogs to keep control. Down by 12 after the first quarter, a pair of shots from Stephanie McDonagh and Parker Esary brought the Lady Argos back to an eight-point difference.

However, the eight-minute mark is when turnovers again became a factor, costing the Lady Argos any gained momentum. With six turnovers in only three and a half minutes, the Bulldogs pulled away with a 15-point lead.

Despite having 14 turnovers in the first half the Lady Argos shot well from the floor. UP outshot the Bulldogs hitting 50 percent all around including 4-8 from the three-point line and 2-4 from the foul line. The Lady Argos also forced the Bulldogs into seven first-half turnovers.

With a score of 41-30 at the half, the Lady Argos could have easily gotten back in the game with a strong start to the third quarter. Instead, the quarter started with two turnovers in the first two minutes and Western ended up outscoring the Lady Argos 19-9 in the period.

A big push for momentum was needed for the Lady Argos in the fourth quarter. A block and a fight in the paint for two from Esary and a three from Jenna Randich started to build that momentum. The Bulldogs responded, however, and slowly pulled away making a 27-point gap by the end of the game.

When the Lady Argos did hang on to the ball they shot well from the floor. UP outshot the Bulldogs from the three-point line hitting 53.8 percent beyond the arc compared to 50 percent from Western.

Senior Stephanie McDonagh continues to lead the Lady Argo's offense. She led the team with 18 points, 5 assists and tied for most steals with two.

Alongside McDonagh, freshman Parker Esery had 14 points, 8 rebounds, with 1 block. She was two rebounds shy of getting her fifth double-double of the season.

With a two-game losing streak, the Lady Argos still holds a top spot in the Frontier Conference standings. Currently, in second place with a 15-5 (6-3) record, the Lady Argos look for a win in tomorrow's home matchup against (23) Lewis-Clark State College. Tip-off will be on Saturday, January 27 5:30 pm.