GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program fell to Rocky Mountain College 58-47 Thursday night.

The Battlin' Bears (12-6) scored the first basket of the game when Gracee Lekvold hit a three-pointer as the shot clock expired, but the Argos (13-6) would answer with a pair of free throws from freshman Monique Carter and a layup from senior Maddy Dixon to take a 4-3 lead.

Both sides would trade baskets the rest of the quarter as the Argos took an 8-7 lead into the second.

Following a hook shot from RMC to open the second quarter, a jumper and layup from Dixon increased the Argo lead to five.

The Argos would continue their momentum with seven points in a row from Carter to make it 21-14 halfway through the second.

The Battlin' Bears would respond with a 7-2 run to bring the game within two, but a jumper by sophomore Camryn Cartwright with 15 seconds left gave UP a 25-21 lead going into the break. Dixon led the way with 12 points in the first half.

Rocky Mountain College opened the second half on a 9-1 run, but a three pointer from Carter kept the game tied at 30.

The Battlin' Bears would not go away scoring five straight until a layup from Dixon cut the lead to three midway through the third quarter.

Dixon would add a pair of free throws on back-to-back trips to put the Argos ahead 36-35 with two minutes left in the third.  

Both teams would go back and forth until a three pointer by RMC put the Battlin' Bears ahead by three going into the fourth.

Rocky Mountain College would open the fourth with an 8-0 run and despite a late three from Maldonado, the Argos fell to the Battlin' Bears 58-47.

The Argos will be back in action Jan. 27 when they visit Helena, Mont. Tip-off versus the Fighting Saints is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the PE Center.