GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Montana Tech 82-67 Saturday afternoon.

The Argos (18-8) scored the first basket of the game when freshman Keanna Salave'a stepped through the defender for a layup.

A corner three from Maldonado made it five in a row and following a layup from the Orediggers (12-16), a layup from senior Maddy Dixon gave the Argos a five-point lead.

UP would continue their momentum with a 9-2 run behind a layup from Dixon and a three from Maldonado to make it 18-6.

The Orediggers would add a three-pointer, but a layup from Maldonado gave the Argos a 20-9 lead heading into the second quarter.

Both teams would go back and forth to begin the second quarter until a 5-0 run from the Orediggers cut the Argo lead to eight.

UP would extend their advantage out to 13, but Montana Tech would slowly cut into the lead the rest of the quarter as the Argos went into halftime leading 38-29. Maldonado led the way for the Argos with 16 points in the first half.

Montana Tech would open the second half with a pair of free throws but a three-pointer on the other end from Maddy Dixon put the Argos back ahead by 10. With that three-pointer, Dixon scored her 1000^th career point in her tenure as an Argo.

Each side would add baskets until a 5-0 run from the Orediggers cut the Argo lead to five, but the Argos would answer with a 10-3 run of their own behind threes from Maldonado and freshman Eliannah Ramirez to put the Argos ahead by 12.

UP made it a 19-3 run following a three from Dixon, free throws by Salave'a, and a buzzer beating layup from Maldonado to take a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The Orediggers would cut the lead to 17 but layups from freshman Monique Carter and junior Kolby Pimperton pushed the Argo lead out to 24.

Montana Tech would answer with an 8-0 run but a dagger three from Ramirez made it 78-59 with four minutes remaining.

The Orediggers would make a late run but a layup from Dixon secured the 82-67 victory for the Argos. Maldonado led the way with 26 points and Dixon added 24 points as well.

The Argos will be back in action March 1 for the semi-finals of the Frontier Conference Tournament. All games will be played at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Mont.