BILLINGS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team defeated Rocky Mountain College 62-50 on the road to advance to the semifinals of the Frontier Conference Tournament. The win was the first Frontier Conference tournament win for the team since the 2016 season.

The 5^th seeded Argos ended the first quarter only up 12-10. But a 23-14 second quarter gave the Argos a 35-24 halftime lead. The Battlin' Bears got it within seven, but Providence held strong to addvance to the semifinals. 

"I'm really happy for the team," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "We executed the game plan tonight and took care of the ball. It's a hard place to play. Their student section were really loud. Rocky did a good job but we executed the game plan and got the job done."

Four Argos scored in double-figures, led by Parker Esary and Emilee Maldonado, who each scored 14 points. Esary also grabbed 7 rebounds. Bailey Cartwright had a double double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Kenedy Cartwright added 12 points. Jenna Randich led the team with 5 assists.

The Argos did a good job containing the Battlin' Bears on the perimeter, allowing only two three-pointers while the Argos made seven. Defensively, they forced 17 turnovers on 12 steals.

"Defensively we were pretty amazing tonight," Himmelberg said. "We forced a lot of turnovers. We had a game plan on what we wanted to do and the girls executed it."

Markaela Francis led the Battlin' Bears with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Kloie Thatcher contributed 16 points.

The Argos will travel to Helena on Saturday to face Carroll at 7 p.m. Coincidentally, the University of Providence men's basketball team will also play the Fighting Saints in Helena for the conference semifinals. The men will tip off the night before on Friday at 7 p.m.