GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated MSU-Northern 60-53 Saturday afternoon. 

The Skylights (11-11) scored the first four points of the game but the Argos (15-6) responded with a putback layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a to make the score 4-2.
 
UP would continue their momentum with a 7-0 run but a layup from the Skylights at the end of the quarter made it a one-point game going into the second.
 
A jumper from sophomore Taliah Lee extended the lead to start the second quarter for the Argos, but a quick response from MSU-Northern tied the game at 11.
 
The Argos regained the lead scoring seven straight capped by a three-pointer from sophomore Monique Carter to put UP ahead 18-11.
 
Junior Ainsley Thurber added a three pointer to maintain the Argo advantage at the end of the quarter, but a layup from the Skylights at the buzzer made it 29-23 going into halftime. Keanna Salave'a led all scorers with nine points in the first half.  
 
MSU-Northern hit a step back three that sparked a 5-0 run to start the second half, but the Argos answered with a layup from Monique Carter, a three from senior Ashlee Maldonado, and a layup from Salave'a to push the Argo lead out to eight.
 
UP slowly extended their lead the rest of the quarter as UP went into the fourth leading 48-36.
 
The Skylights had a strong start to the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run but a three from Carter returned the momentum to the Argos.
 
Despite late pressure from the Skylights the Argos maintained the lead the rest of the way as UP defeated MSU-Northern 60-53. Keanna Salave'a led Argos with 25 points and 15 rebounds, and Ashlee Maldonado added 10 points and six assists.

The Argos will be back in action Thursday, Feb. 6 when host Montana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.