GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team is preparing for the home stretch of the season with a pair of home games this weekend.

On Friday they'll face off against #19 Montana Western at 5:30 p.m. They'll take on #24 Rocky Mountain on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to "Pack the Place in Pink" in support of breast cancer awareness.

The Argos (15-11, 6-8) are coming off a split weekend. After defeating #21 Lewis-Clark State on the road, the team fell victim to a hot shooting performance from Montana Tech. Despite the loss, the team played well, and head coach Bill Himmelberg believes his peaking at the right time.

"The last three games we've been playing our best basketball," he said. "We've been peaking at the right time even those we lost to Tech. We played well that game and they shot the ball really well in the second half. They shot the ball really well so you have to give them a lot of credit. We have to make sure we come out and are ready to go again."

Things don't get any easier for the Argos (15-11, 6-8) as they prepare for home games against two-ranked opponents. The Argos have split two games with the Bulldogs (17-8, 10-4), including a recent home win two weeks ago that was the beginning of the momentum the Argos have been on.

"They're going to come out guns blazing," Himmelberg said. "They want to prove a point. We have the talent so we're going to lock them down defensively and make sure we're focused and ready to go. Our girls know they're coming for us so we have to make sure we're ready to match their intensity."

The Argos will take on the Battlin' Bears (16-9, 7-7) on Saturday. The Argos haven't beaten the Bears this season, as they suffered a home overtime loss earlier in the season. The game serves as an important one down the stretch as the Bears are a game ahead of the Argos in the Frontier Conference standings.

"I thought we played really well against them here at home," Himmelberg said. "We lost to them in overtime and didn't make plays down the stretch. We have to make baskets. We had wide open looks the last two times we played them. When we get looks versus them we're going to have to make them. We've been shooting a lot better lately so I'm hoping that's the case."

The Argos will continue to lean on Parker Esary, who continues to lead the nation in field goal percentage at 65% and is averaging 15.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg.  As a team the Argos hope to get hot from beyond the arc. They currently rank second in the nation in total three-pointers (243) and third in three-pointers per game (9.4).

"We got a plan," Himmelberg said. "The girls are ready. We just have to go win a game. That's what it comes down to. This is a big weekend for us. The girls are excited to get back on the court and get back after it."