HONOLULU, Hawaii – The University of Providence women's basketball program split in their pair of games at the Hoops in Hawai'i Classic this week.
The Argos (9-3) faced #25 Indiana Tech in their opening contest at the Shark Tank.
The Warriors (9-2) jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but three layups in a row including an and one from freshman Keanna Salave'a gave UP a two-point edge.
Each side would trade baskets the rest of the first quarter by a three pointer by graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado as time expired gave the Argos a 16-13 lead.
UP continued their momentum opening the second on a 7-2 run behind a pair of layups by senior Maddy Dixon and a three by senior Kolby Pimperton to extend the Argos lead to five.
The Warriors would respond with a 7-0 run late in the quarter to retake the lead, but a layup by Pimperton tied the game at 29 going into the break.
Indiana Tech scored the first points of the second half, but a 6-0 run by sophomore McKenna Reggear gave the Argos a three-point lead.
The Warriors ended the third quarter on a 9-0 run to go into the fourth quarter leading the Argos by five.
UP did not go away hitting back-to-back threes by Dixon and Reggear to open the fourth quarter and retake the lead 47-46.
There would be six lead changes over the next five minutes but back-to-back baskets by Reggear gave the Argos a three-point lead with a minute remaining.
The Warriors would add a late basket, but the Argos hit their free throws down the stretch as they opened the Hoops in Hawai'i Classic with a 61-54 victory over #25 Indiana Tech. Salave'a led the way for the Argos with 17pts and 12reb and Reggear added 15pts as well.
In the finale at the Shark Tank against Jamestown University, UP got out to an early 12-8 lead behind jumpers by freshman Monique Carter and Maldonado
Following a pair of baskets by the Jimmies (6-6), a three-pointer by Pimperton gave the Argos a four-point lead going into the second.
The Argos scored the first five points of the second quarter, but the Jimmies slowly cut the lead to back down to five as the Argos went into halftime leading 32-27.
The Argos were able to extend their lead to 10 halfway through the third quarter, but a 7-0 run by the Jimmies made it a three-point game going into the fourth.
Each side went back and forth in the fourth quarter with five lead changes over the first six minutes, and despite a late jumper by Maldonado, the Argos were unable to close the gap down the stretch falling to Jamestown 71-63.
The Argos will be back in action Dec. 30 for a neutral site contest versus Milligan University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the PE Center in Helena, Mont.
