SIOUX, CITY, Iowa – The University of Providence women's basketball program advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament defeating Concordia University (Neb) 73-66 Thursday afternoon.

The Argos (25-8) scored the first basket of the game off a three-pointer from senior Maddy Dixon, but the Bulldogs (26-7) would score a layup on the other end to make it a one-point game.

Each team would trade baskets over the next five minutes until a three by freshman Taliah Lee gave the Argos a 15-11 lead.

The Bulldogs would slowly cut into the Argo lead to end the quarter as the Argos took a 17-15 advantage into the second.

Concordia tied the game at 17 to open the second quarter but a three from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado gave the Argos a three-point lead.

Neither side could gain a lead by more than three until back-to-back three-pointers from senior Kolby Pimperton and Maldonado pushed the Argo lead to seven.

UP was able to maintain that edge the rest of the half as they went into the break leading 38-31. Lee led the way for the Argos with 13 points in the first half.

The Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run but a layup from Dixon on the other end kept the Argos ahead by three.

Both sides would go up and down trading layups until four free throws in a row from the Bulldogs tied the game at 44.

A jumper from Maldonado and a three from freshman Eliannah Ramirez would give the Argos a five-point lead, but a 6-0 run to end the quarter gave Concordia a one-point edge heading into the fourth.

The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run but back-to-back threes from freshman Keanna Salave'a and Ramirez kept the game within one.

Following a layup from the Bulldgos a 7-0 run behind jumpers from Ramirez and Dixon retook the lead for the Argos 62-58.

Free throws from Concordia cut the lead back down to one, but with one minute left a three from senior Kolby Pimperton put the Argos ahead by four.

Concordia would shorten the lead to two with thirty seconds remaining, but the Argos made their free throws down the stretch as they defeated Concordia University (Neb) 73-66. Five Argos scored in double figures with Pimperton scoring 14, Lee with 13, Maldonado with 12, and Dixon and Salave'a each added 10.  

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, March 23 for a matchup with #1 Marian in the round of eight at the NAIA Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for Noon (MST) in the Tyson Event Center in Sioux City, Iowa.