GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program picked up their 14th victory in a row over Montana State Northern defeating the Skylights 58-52 Thursday night.
The Argos (11-5) scored the first basket of the game behind a layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a, and following a layup from the Skylights (10-7), an 8-0 run from UP put the Argos ahead 10-2.
Both sides would trade baskets the rest of the quarter as UP went into the break leading 13-8.
UP scored the first three baskets of the second quarter off baskets from senior Ashlee Maldonado, sophomore Taliah Lee, and junior Ainsley Thurber, but a pair of jumper from the Skylights kept the game within six.
Layups from sophomores Eliannah Ramirez and McKenna Reggear pushed the Argo lead out to nine, but MSU-Northern slowly cut into the lead the rest of the quarter as UP went into halftime leading 29-24. Salave'a led all scorers with 10 points in the first half.
The Skylights scored four of the first six points of the third quarter, but the Argos answered with a 9-0 run off a three by Maldonado to push the Argo lead out to 12.
MSU-Northern slowly crept back into the game the rest of the way cutting the lead to three with 36 seconds remaining, but a three from sophomore Monique Carter with seven seconds left secured the Argos 58-52 victory.
Salave'a led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals and Maldonado added 11 points and four assists.
The Argos will be back in action Jan. 18 when they travel to Butte, Mont. for a matchup with Montana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Kelvin Sampson Court. Â
