GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The University of Providence women's basketball team fell to #4 Dakota State 69-62 Saturday night.

The Argos (8-3) scored the first five points of the game off a three-pointer and layup from junior Eliannah Ramirez, but the Trojans (12-1) responded with six straight to go ahead by one.

Both teams went back-and-forth the rest of the quarter with a three from the Trojans as time expired putting Dakota State ahead 13-11.

The Argos tied the game at 13 behind a jumper from senior McKenna Reggear to open the second quarter, and following baskets from both teams, a three-pointer from Dakota State gave the Trojans a 23-19 lead.

Each side traded baskets the rest of the quarter but layups from freshman Madi Reibel and Dymon Root gave the Argos a 29-28 lead at halftime.

The Argos opened up the scoring in the second half with a layup from junior Brooke Dial but a 7-0 run from the Trojans gave Dakota State a 35-31 edge.

Over the next five minutes the Trojans slowly extended their lead out to eight, but the Argos ended the quarter on a 9-3 run behind a layup from Thurber and a three from senior Camryn Cartwright to cut the lead to 49-47 heading into the fourth.

Each team went back-and-forth over the first six minutes of the fourth quarter until a layup from the Trojans gave Dakota State a 60-55 lead.

The Argos would not go away making it a two-point game off a three from Reggear with just over a minute left, but the Trojans made their free throws down the stretch as the Argos fell to #4 Dakota State 69-62.

Juniors Brooke Dial and Eliannah Ramirez led the way with 12 points apiece and freshman Dymon Root added 11.

The Argos will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 18 when they travel to Honolulu, Hawaii. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (MST) versus #14 Dakota Wesleyan.