GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Montana Western 71-56 Saturday afternoon.  

The Argos (17-8) scored the first points of the night when graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado sank a pair of free throws, and after a three by Montana Western, a layup from senior Maddy Dixon gave the Argos a 4-3 lead.

The Bulldogs (14-12) would answer with a three to take a two-point lead, but on the other end junior Kolby Pimperton hit a corner three to put the Argos back ahead by one.

After baskets from both sides three-pointers from Maldonado and Pimperton increased the Argo lead to seven.

The Bulldogs would slowly cut into the Argo lead the rest of the quarter as UP went into the second leading Montana Western 19-17.

Montana Western opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run but a layup from Dixon and a free throw from Pimperton tied the game at 22.

There would be three lead changes over the first five minutes until layups from Dixon and Salave'a and a three from sophomore Camryn Cartwright gave the Argos a seven-point lead. 

UP would add free throws from freshman Keanna Salave'a to go into the break leading the Bulldogs 33-24. Dixon and Maldonado each had eight points in the first half.

Montana Western would add a basket to begin the second but a 8-0 run from the Argos behind a three from Maldonado and a jumper from Carter put the Argos ahead 41-26.

Each side would trade baskets until a three from Pimperton increased the Argo lead to 17 with three minutes left in the third.

Following a bucket from the Bulldogs, back-to-back layups from freshman Eliannah Ramirez gave the Argos a 57-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Montana Western would score the first four points of the final quarter but a three-pointer from Pimperton increased the lead out to 19.

The Bulldogs would make a late run, but the Argos would slowly pulled away down the stretch defeating Montana Western 71-56. 

The Argos will be back in action Feb. 22 when they host MSU-Northern. Tip-off versus the Skylights is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the McLaughlin Center.