GREAT FALLS, Mont. – In their first game since in nearly ten months, the #25^th-ranked University of Providence women's basketball team opened their season with a win Monday night, defeating Montana Tech 85-81.

The two teams were tied after the third quarter, but the Orediggers quickly jumped out to a seven-point lead. The Argos crawled back, but a couple defensive breakdowns led to another six point deficit. The Argos came back yet again, with Kerstyn Pimperton hitting a big corner-three to tie the game up with just over two minutes remaining. 

"I'm pleased overall with how we executed down the stretch," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "We had two times down the stretch where we had to get three stops and scores. We're really fortunate to have an older, experienced team that doesn't panic in those situations and knows what it takes to get back in it down the stretch."

Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year Parker Esary led the way for the Argos with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Freshman Maddy Dixon scored 14 points and six rebounds in her debut, while Reed Hazard contributed 14 points and two assists. Senior Emilee Maldonado contributed 13 points and four assists.

"Parker was Parker," Himmelberg said. "She was amazing the whole time. She's a really good player and played really well tonight. Maddy was really big for us tonight. Defensively she did everything we talked about. She's going to be a good one for us. It was a big night for her."

Brooke Heggie was the leading scorer for the Orediggers, recording 18 points, six rebounds and five blocks. Montana Tech shot 46% from beyond the arc, including two each from Mesa Williams and Dani Urick, who finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Mollie Peoples also added 12 points for the Orediggers.

The Argos will have to recover quickly; they compete against Montana Tech again tomorrow at 5 p.m.

"It's going to be a challenge for us tomorrow night," Himmelberg said. "They have a really good squad. It's going to be exciting though to see what we can do."