SIOUX, CITY, Iowa – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated #1 Marian 78-68 to advance to the program's first NAIA semifinal Saturday afternoon.

The Argos (26-8) scored the first basket of the game off a three-pointer from senior Maddy Dixon to put UP in front. 

Argos would continue their momentum making it a 9-0 run to start the game behind layups from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado and freshman Keanna Salave'a.

The Knights (33-2) would hit a three to stop the run at nine, and following a free throw from the Knights, free throws from freshman Monique Carter gave the Argos an 11-6 lead.

Both sides would trade baskets until a 7-0 run from the Argos behind a layup from Carter and an and one from Dixon put the Argos ahead 20-8.

The Argos maintained that edge the rest of the way as they took a 24-12 lead into the second quarter.

Marian scored a layup to open the second, but a jumper on the other end from Carter kept the Argos ahead by 12.

Each team went back and forth with neither team putting together a run the rest of the half as the Argos led Marian 42-28 going into the break. Keanna Salave'a led the way for the Argos with 14 points in the first half.

The Knights opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, but a layup on the other end from Maldonado kept the Argos ahead by 13.

Both sides went back and forth until a 7-0 from the Argos behind a three from Dixon and a layup from junior Kolby Pimperton pushed the Argos lead out to 18.

Marian would slowly cut into the Argo lead the rest of the quarter as UP took a 61-49 advantage into the fourth. 

Ashlee Maldondo opened the final quarter with an and one layup, and following a jumper from Marian, freshman Eliannah Ramirez made a runner to make it 66-51.

Each team would score four in a row but a three from Marian cut the Argo lead to 12 midways through the fourth quarter.

The Argos would answer with a layup from Salave'a, and despite a late run from the Knights, UP made their free throws down the stretch as they defeated #1 Marian 78-68. Maldonado led the way for the Argos with 26 points and Dixon and Salave'a each added 17.

The Argos will be back in action Monday, March 25 for the semifinals of the NAIA Tournament for the first time in program history. UP will face the winner of Carroll College and Dakota State at 5 p.m. (MST) in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center.