GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated #19 Carroll College 48-35 Thursday night.
 
The Argos (17-7) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from senior Ashlee Maldonado, but the Saints (17-8) responded scoring the next four to go ahead by two.
 
The two teams would trade buckets throughout the rest of the quarter but a late 11-2 run for the Argos with baskets by senior Kolby Pimperton and sophomore Keanna Salave'a gave UP a 20-10 lead heading into the break.
 
The Argos kept increasing their lead to start the second quarter with baskets from sophomores Monique Carter and Eliannah Ramirez to make the score 27-10 halfway through the second.
 
UP wouldn't stop there, scoring the final four points of the half after a layup from junior Ainsley Thurber. The Argos held the Saints to just two points in the second and headed into halftime leading 31-12.
 
The Saints scored the first points of the second half but UP responded with a basket from Maldonado to keep their lead at 19 with seven minutes left in the third.
 
Both teams went back and forth the rest of the quarter but a basket in the final minute by Thurber gave the Argos a 20-point lead heading into fourth.
 
 The Argos kept their foot on the gas throughout the final quarter with jumpers from Pimperton and junior Camryn Cartwright to keep a commanding lead 48-31 with just under four to go.
 
Despite the Saints cutting their deficit down to 13, UP cruised the rest of the way defeating #19 Carroll College 48-35.
 
Ashlee Maldonado led all scorers with 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Keanna Salave'a added eight points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Argos will be back in action Thursday, Feb. 15 when they travel to Dillon to face Montana Western. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium.