GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence cruised to their fifth straight victory Friday night, taking down Central Baptist 79-48.

The Argos (5-1) jumped out to a quick 10-0 start and never looked back. By the time halftime came around, they had amassed a 43-16 lead. The lead got extended all the way to 36 points in the fourth quarter before the game ended. 

"I'm happy with how we came out," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "I thought we came out and attacked right away and jumped all over them. I was very pleased with how we started the game."

Parker Esary led the way for the Argos, recording 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 11 of 14 shooting (78.6%) from the field. Emilee Maldonado was an assist short of a double-double, finishing the game with 17 points and nine rebounds. Kerstyn Pimperton hit four three-pointers, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Riley Bridges led the Mustangs with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Vicki Duru added 11 points.

As a team the Argos shot 52.5% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range. The squad recorded a team total of 25 assists of the 32 made baskets they scored.

 "When you have 25 assists, you know you're moving the ball well," Himmelberg said. "We're sharing it and we don't care who scores. It's really nice to see our girls execute the game plan."

The team will try to complete the weekend tomorrow when they take on Corban, who defeated Montana State-Northern earlier in the day. The game will start at 2:00 p.m. MTN in the McLaughlin Center.

"Corban's pretty good so we're going to have to play well," he said. "We're going to have to rebound well and make sure that we follow the game plan a little bit better defensively."