GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Montana Western 78-66 Thursday night.

The Argos (14-6) scored the first points of the game on a layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a, but the Bulldogs (7-12) responded scoring five straight to go ahead by three.

Both teams went back and forth with a three from senior Ashlee Maldonado to make it 12-9 midway through the first.

The Bulldogs slowly extended their lead the rest of the quarter as UP trailed 26-16 going into the break.

The Argos opened the second quarter with layups from sophomore Taliah Lee and Maldonado, and following an and one from the Bulldogs, a 9-0 run behind layups from sophomore Eliannah Ramirez and Salave'a tied the game at 29.

Each side traded baskets the rest of the half as UP went into the break tied at 37. Salave'a led the way with 10 points in the first half.

The Argos scored opened the third quarter with a 9-2 run behind layups from Lee and Salave'a to give UP a seven-point lead.

Following a layup from the Bulldogs, the Argos continued their momentum scoring 10 of the next 12 points to put UP in front 56-43.

Despite the Bulldogs cutting the lead to nine in the fourth quarter, layups from sophomore Monique Carter and junior Ainsley Thurber pushed the Argo lead back out to 15 as UP cruised to a 78-66 victory over Montana Western.

The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 1 when they travel to Havre, Mont. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium.