GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The University of Providence women's basketball team defeated Bismarck State 65-52 Saturday night.

The Mystics (1-6) scored the first basket of the game, but the Argos (6-2) answered with nine straight behind a pair of layups from junior Brooke Dial to put UP ahead 9-2.

Following a free throw from Bismarck, the Argos stayed hot with a three from freshman Madi Reibel and a layup from senior Sofia Mokofisi to give the Argos a 14-3 lead.

The Mystics ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to shorten the Argo lead to three heading into the break.

Both teams went back-and-forth to begin the second until an 8-0 run behind a pair of layups from Dial and Ramirez put UP in front 24-14 midway through the quarter.

Each side traded baskets the rest of the half with a buzzer-beater three from Ramirez giving the Argos a 36-24 edge at the break.

Bismarck State opened the second half with a 7-0 run but a layup from Mokofisi kept the Argos in front 38-31.

The Mystics slowly cut into the UP lead over the rest of the third but a layup from Reibel kept the Argos ahead 46-40 heading into the fourth.

Senior Ainsley Thurber started the scoring in the fourth quarter with a layup on the first possession, and following a layup from the Mystics, a layup from Ramirez put UP ahead 50-42.

The Argos kept the pressure on with a 9-3 run to extend the lead to 14, and despite a late flurry from the Mystics, the Argos held on for a 65-52 victory over Bismarck State.

Four Argos reached double-digit scoring with junior Brooke Dial leading with way with 15, senior Ainsley Thurber added 14, and freshman Madi Reibel and senior Sofia Mokofisi scored 10 apiece.

The Argos will be back in action on Sunday, Dec. 7 when they host Dickinson State. Tip-off is schedule for 1:00 p.m. (MST) in the McLaughlin Center.