HELENA, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program cruised to a 63-40 victory over #6 Carroll College Saturday afternoon.

The Fighting Saints (15-4) scored the first basket of the game off a pull up jumper, but the Argos (14-6) would quickly respond with a layup from freshman Keanna Salave'a to tie the game at two.

Carroll would add a layup of their own, but layups from senior Maddy Dixon and freshman Monique Carter gave the Argos an 8-6 lead. 

UP would continue their momentum ending the quarter on a 10-2 run behind a three-pointer from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado to go into the second leading 18-8.

The Argos would extend their run to 14-4 to start the second quarter behind layups from freshman Eliannah Ramirez and Maldonado, but Carroll would answer with a three to keep the game within nine.  

Both sides would go back and forth until threes from freshman Taliah Lee and sophomore Camryn Cartwright extended the Argo lead to 19 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Each team would add a basket as the Argos went into the break leading the Fighting Saints 40-21. Maldonado led the way for UP with 10 points in the first half.

Salave'a would score the first basket of the third quarter, but Carroll would slowly cut into the Argo lead as UP went into the fourth leading 50-35.

Following empty trips by both sides to start the fourth, the Fighting Saints would make a hook shot, but a 9-0 run behind free throws from Maldonado and a three from Lee extended the Argo lead to 20.

The Fighting Saints would not get any closer than 20 the rest of way as the Argos cruised to a 60-43 victory over #6 Carroll College.

Maldonado led the way for UP with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists and Dixon and Salave'a each added 10 points as well.

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 1 when they visit Montana Western. Tip-off versus the Bulldogs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Dillon, Mont.