GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program won the Frontier Conference Tournament defeating Carroll College 75-66 Saturday night.

The Argos (22-8) scored the first points of the game off free throws from freshman Monique Carter, but free throws on the other end from the Fighting Saints (24-5) tied the game two.

Senior Maddy Dixon would hit a three to put the Argos in front and free throws from junior Kolby Pimperton pushed the Argo lead to five.

Carroll would answer with a 5-0 run of their own to tie the game at eight and following baskets by both sides, layups from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado and freshman Taliah Lee put the Argos ahead 13-8.

Carroll College would add a basket to end the quarter as the Argos took a 13-10 lead into the second.

A three-pointer from freshman Eliannah Ramirez opened the second but the Fighting Saints would slowly cut into the Argo lead until a layup from Maldonado made it 20-15 midway through the second quarter.

Each side traded baskets until a 5-0 run from the Fighting Saints put Carroll College ahead 29-27.

Neither team could put a run together to end the half as the Argos went into the break trailing 34-32.

Freshman Keanna Salave'a made a layup to open the third quarter and on the very next possession a three from Dixon retook the lead for the Argos 37-34.

Carroll would quickly respond with a 5-0 run but a layup from Carter tied the game at 39 three minutes into the second half.

There would be seven lead changes over the next five minutes until an and one for Carter gave the Argos a 48-46 lead.

Carroll would tie the game at 50 but a layup from Dixon to end the quarter gave the Argos a 52-50 lead heading into the fourth.

Threes from both sides opened the fourth quarter but free throws from Maldonado made it a four-point advantage for UP.

A 9-0 run from the Fighting Saints gave Carroll a three-point lead but a three from Maldonado on the other end tied the game at 65.

Free throws from Salave'a put the Argos ahead by two and on the next possession a layup from Dixon made it 69-65 with one minute remaining.

Despite late pressure from the Fighting Saints, the Argos made their free throws down the stretch as UP defeated Carroll College 75-66 to win the Frontier Conference Tournament Championship. Maldonado led the way with 28 points and Dixon and Carter each added 14 points as well.

The Argos will be back in action March 15 for the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. The games will take place in Great Falls, Mont. at the McLaughlin Center.