BILLINGS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated #20 Rocky Mountain College 79-71 Thursday night.

Argos (12-6) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from sophomore Taliah Lee, and following a pair of threes from the Battlin' Bears (12-7), a three-pointer from sophomore Keanna Salave'a cut the Rocky Mountain lead to one.

The Battlin' Bears quickly extended the lead out to nine, but the Argos responded with an 8-0 run behind baskets from Salave'a and sophomore Monique Carter to make it 19-18.

Rocky Mountain outscored the Argos 7-0 the rest of the quarter as UP went into the break trailing 26-18.

The Argos opened the second quarter with six straight to cut the lead back to one, and following a pair of free throws from the Battlin' Bears, a three from Lee tied the game at 28 three minutes into the quarter.

Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half but the Argos scored the final five points behind layups from Salave'a and senior Ashlee Maldonado to take a 39-35 lead into the break. Salave'a and Lee lead the Argos in the first half with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

The Battlin' Bears scored the first basket of the third quarter but a layup from Lee kept the Argos ahead by four..

Both teams traded baskets over the next six minutes until a 13-2 run from the Argos behind baskets from juniors Ainsley Thurber, McKenna Reggear, and a three-pointer from senior Kolby Pimperton as time expired put UP in front 59-50 heading into the fourth.

The Argos slowly pushed their lead out to 14 three minutes into the fourth, but seven straight from the Battlin' Bears cut the lead to seven with four minutes left.

A three from Maldonado pushed the Argo lead back to 10, and despite late pressure from the Battlin' Bears, the Argos defeated #20 Rocky Mountain College 79-71. 

Keanna Salave'a led the way for UP with 21 points, and Taliah Lee and Ashlee Maldonado added 19 and 18, respectively.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 25 when they host #22 Carroll College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.