GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 67-51 Saturday night.  

The Argos (5-2) scored the first nine points of the game behind threes from senior Kolby Pimperton and sophomore Taliah Lee, but a pair of baskets from the Eagles (2-5) made it 11-5.

UP would extend their lead out to 11, but an and one from ERAU cut the Argo lead to eight heading into the break.

The Argos opened the second quarter with a 6-3 run behind layups from sophomore Keanna Salave'a and junior Ainsley Thurber, and following a basket from the Eagles, UP ended the half outscoring ERAU 11-2 to take a 33-15 lead into the halftime.

UP started the second half with a three from senior Ashlee Maldonado to push the lead to 21 and the Eagles would not get within 20 the rest of the quarter as UP took a 52-29 edge into the fourth.

Embry-Riddle slowly chipped away at the Argo lead cutting it to 14 late in the fourth, but a layup from junior McKenna Reggear secured the victory for the Argos 67-51.

Salave'a led the way with 25 points while Thurber added 14 and Maldonado set a new career high with 11 assists.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 26, when they host Bushnell. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in Great Falls, Mont.