GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program fell to Rocky Mountain College 60-52 Thursday night.

The Battlin' Bears (10-5) scored the first four points of the game, but a three-pointer from sophomore Taliah Lee and a layup from sophomore Monique Carter put the Argos (10-4) ahead 5-4.

Following a basket from Rocky Mountain College senior Ashlee Maldonado scored the next eight points for the Argos as UP went into the break leading 13-10.

Both teams traded baskets to begin the second quarter with neither team grabbing a lead by more than three until a pair of three-pointers from Maldonado put UP in front 28-22.

The Battlin' Bears slowly cut into the lead the rest of the quarter as UP went into the break leading 28-27. Maldonado led all scorers with 16 points in the first half.

The Argos opened the third quarter with baskets from sophomore Keanna Salave'a and Carter, but a 10-0 run from Rocky Mountain College put the Battlin' Bears ahead 40-35.

UP responded with a 6-1 run behind layups from junior McKenna Reggear and Salave'a to bring the game within one, but a three pointer from RMC put the Battlin' Bears in front 45-43 after the third quarter.

RMC went ahead by four following a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter but a pair of baskets from Salave'a tied the game at 48 with just over six minutes remaining.

Following a tie at 50, the Battlin' Bears went on a 10-2 run to go ahead by eight, and despite late pressure from the Argos, UP fell to Rocky Mountain College 60-52.  

The Argos will be back in action Jan. 11 when they travel to Dillon, Mont. for a matchup with Montana Western. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Straugh Gymnasium.