GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Montana Tech 65-53 Saturday afternoon.
The Argos (13-5) scored the first basket of the game when freshman Keanna Salave'a grabbed the offensive rebound and found freshman Monique Carter in the corner for a three-pointer.
The Orediggers (10-8) would answer immediately with a three-pointer of their own, but a layup by senior Maddy Dixon gave the Argos a 5-3 lead.
Both sides would trade baskets the rest of the first quarter ending with freshman Taliah Lee making a fastbreak layup to put the Argos up 17-16 going into the second.
The Argos would start the second quarter with a 7-0 run and following free throws from the Orediggers, Lee would make back-to-back put back layups to put the Argos ahead by 11.
Montana Tech would end the half on a 4-0Â run to cut the Argo lead to seven going into the break. Lee led the way for the Argos with 11 points in the first half.
The Orediggers would open the second half extending their run to 8-0, but a jumper from Dixon kept the Argos ahead by six.
Following a pair of free throws from Montana Tech, a three by sophomore Camryn Cartwright and a layup from Salave'a pushed the Argo lead out to 12.
Each team would add another basket as the Argos led the Orediggers 48-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
Montana Tech would open the final quarter on a 5-0 run, but a layup from Dixon kept the Argos up by nine.
The Orediggers would not go away making another pair of baskets to cut the Argo lead to five with six minutes remaining.
The Argos would respond with 8-0 run behind a pair of three-point plays from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado to make it 58-43 with three minutes left.
Despite a late run from the Orediggers, UP defeated Montana Tech 65-53. Maldonado led the way with 15 points and Lee had a new career high with 13 points.
The Argos will be back in action Jan. 25 when they host Rocky Mountain College. Tip-off versus the Battlin' Bears is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.
