GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program advanced to the Frontier Conference Championship defeating Montana Western 79-68 Friday night.

A free throw from freshman Keanna Salave'a scored the first point for the Argos (21-8) but back-to-back three-pointers from the Bulldogs (17-13) put Montana Western ahead by five.

The Argos slowly cut into the lead with graduate transfer Ashlee Madonado and senior Maddy Dixon making layups to tie the game at 11.

Following a jumper from the Bulldogs, a three from Maldonado and a layup from Salave'a gave the Argos a 17-13 lead.

Each side would add a basket to end the first as the Argos took a 19-16 lead into the second quarter.

Montana Western began the second with a pair of free throws but a layup from Salave'a kept the Argos ahead by three.

Both teams would go back and forth the rest of the half as the Argos took a 35-34 lead into the break. Dixon led the way in the first half with 12 points.

The Bulldogs scored the first points of the second half but a three from junior Kolby Pimperton and free throws from Maldonado gave the Argos a 40-37 lead.

Both teams would go basket for basket until the Argos ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run behind a layup from Dixon and free throws from Maldonado to make it 61-54 heading into the fourth.

Following a layup from the Bulldogs to open the final quarter, a three-pointer from Dixon and a layup from Salave'a pushed the Argo lead out to 10.

UP would make it seven in a row after a layup from Maldonado but a layup and free throws from the Bulldogs kept the game within eight.

A layup from freshman Taliah Lee pushed the Argo lead back out to 10, but back-to-back layups from Montana Western cut the Argo lead to six.

The Argos would answer with a three from freshman Monique Carter and despite late pressure from the Bulldogs, a layup from Salave'a secured the 79-68 victory for the Argos. Salave'a led the way with 20 points and 13 rebounds and Dixon and Maldonado each added 19 points as well.

The Argos will be back in action March 2 for the Frontier Conference Championship versus Carroll College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena.