GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking overtime thriller to Rocky Mountain College Thursday evening 86-77.

Tied at 71 after 40 minutes of regulation, the Battlin' Bears outscored the Argos 15-6 to secure the victory.

"They executed a little bettet down the stretch than we did," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "We need to do a little bit better down the stretch. It came down to the fact that they executed in overtime and we didn't."

Emilee Maldonado led the Argos with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Parker Esary scored 16 points for the Argos and grabbed five rebounds while Bailey Cartwright had a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Kenedy Cartwright also contributed 12 points.

Markaela Francis led the Battlin' Bears with 27 points and 14 rebounds on 11 of 14 shooting. Destinee Pointer scored 17, Kloie Thatcher dropped 15, and Mackenzie Dethman and Antuanisha Wright both scored 10.

"I thought Rocky played great," Himmelberg said. "Markaela had a big night. We had a lot of opportunities. We just need to make more baskets. We had a lot of opportunities and didn't convert."

The Argos must rebound quickly, as they take on Montana Western on the road on Saturday. The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the latest Top 25 poll.

"It's a long season," Himmelberg said. "One loss doesn't dictate what happens to us. We have the chance to get better tomorrow. We have to get a win on the road at Western. They're a really good team and we have to figure out a way to go beat them. "