GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeating Rocky Mountain College 65-54 Saturday afternoon.

The Argos (16-7) scored the first points of the game when graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado sank a layup and a jumper to put UP in front by four.

UP would make it a 6-0 run after a jumper from the elbow by junior Kolby Pimperton but free throws on the other end from the Battlin' Bears (14-8) kept the game within four.

Each side would trade baskets the rest of the way as the Argos took a 12-8 lead into the second.

Following a free throw from RMC, an 8-0 run from UP behind a jumper from freshman Monique Carter and a pair of baskets from freshman Eliannah Ramirez extended the Argo lead to 11.

UP would make it a 12-0 run after a jumper from Maldonado and free throws from freshman Taliah lee made it 25-9 with three minutes left in the half.

The Battlin' Bears would slowly cut into the lead the remainder of the half as the Argos went into the break leading 26-18. Maldonado led the way with nine points in the first half.

RMC would score the first points of the third quarter but a three-pointer from Maldonado kept the Argos ahead by nine.

Both teams would go back and forth until layups from Lee and Maldonado increased the Argo lead to 12.

The Battlin' Bears would hit a three with thirty seconds left but Maldonado would answer with a three of her own to put the Argos ahead 48-36 heading into the fourth.

Ramirez would add a pair of free throws to open the fourth, and following a layup from RMC, a step-back three from Ramirez put the Argos ahead 53-38.

RMC would not go away immediately answering with a three, but a layup from Dixon and an and one from Ramirez pushed the Argo lead to 19 with just under six minutes remaining. Ramirez scored eight points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

Despite a late run from RMC, a layup from sophomore Camryn Cartwright secured the Argos 65-54 victory over Rocky Mountain College. Maldonado led the way with 25 points, six rebounds, and five steals, and Ramirez set a new career high with 12 points.

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 15 when they travel to Helena, Mont. Tip-off versus #8 Carroll College is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the PE Center.