WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A 26 point and 23 rebound performance from sophomore Keanna Salave'a carried the Argos to a 85-74 victory over Olivet Nazarene University Tuesday afternoon.   

The Argos (8-2) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from sophomore Taliah Lee, and following a basket from the Tigers (6-6), another layup from Lee put UP ahead 4-2.

Both teams would trade runs but an 8-0 stretch from UP behind baskets from sophomore Monique Carter and Lee gave the Argos an 18-10 lead seven minutes into the game.

Each side would add a bucket as UP ended the first quarter leading 21-14.

Olivet Nazarene opened the second quarter with a three to bring the game within four, and both teams would trade baskets the rest of the half as UP went into the break leading 40-35. Sophomore Keanna Salave'a led the way for UP with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks in the first half.

The Tigers scored the first basket of the second half to make it a two-point game, and following a basket from Salave'a another three by Olivet Nazarene cut the Argos lead to one.

The Argos answered with baskets from senior Kolby Pimperton and Lee to push the lead back to five, but the Tigers would not go away slowly bringing the lead back down to one with two minutes left in the third.  

UP ended the quarter on an 8-0 run behind a three from Ramirez and a layup from Salave'a to put UP in front 67-59 heading into the fourth.

The Argos extended their lead to 10 to open the fourth off a layup from senior Ashlee Maldonado, and following baskets from both teams, a three from junior Ainsley Thurber put UP ahead 78-68 with just under five minutes remaining.

Free throws from Pimperton pushed the lead out to 12 and the Tigers would not threaten the rest of the way as UP came away with an 85-74 victory over Olivet Nazarene. 

Keanna Salave'a dominated the Tigers tallying 26 points and 23 rebounds for UP while shooting 11-13 from the field. Taliah Lee scored 19 points for the Argos and Eliannah Ramirez added 13.

The Argos will be back in action Dec. 18, for their final game of West Palm Beach Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. (MST) versus Huntington University.