CHANDLER, Ariz. – A slow second quarter stalled the University of Providence women's basketball in the opening game of the 2019 Phoenix Frontier Classic. The Argos (0-2, 6-4) never recovered and fell to #15 Bethel (1-1, 10-4) 72-83.

The Argos were outscored 7-26 in the second quarter. The Argos returned to form in the second half, but never overcame the deficit.

"Bethel is a very good team," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "They're really well coached. I didn't think we were very disciplined today. I'm really disappointed with how we competed in the second quarter. We especially gave up too many offensive rebounds. I thought they were tougher than us on the boards. We competed with them in the second half but we played poorly in the first half."

Parker Esary joined the Argo 1,000 point club when she scored her first two points of the ball game. Esary finished with 25 points, 5 rebounds, three assists and a steal. Kenedy Cartwright scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, had two assists and two blocks for the Argos.

"What a great performance by Parker tonight," Himmelberg said. "They didn't really have an answer for her down there in the post. Our girls did a good job of getting it to her in the post so that was a good job by then."

"I'm so proud of her of reaching 1,000 points," he said. "The scary part is there is a lot more to come. She showed us today why she's gotten 1,000."

The Argos, who have lost three in a row, will hope to get back on track tomorrow against Benedictine Mesa at 12 p.m.

"They have to come out ready to go and prepared," Himmelberg said. "We have a game plan. Benedictine is very good so we're going to have a find a way to be tougher for tomorrow."