GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Montana Western 66-58 Saturday in Dillon. 
 
The Argos (18-7) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a but the Bulldogs (7-18) responded scoring the next five to go ahead by three.
 
The two teams would trade buckets throughout the rest of the quarter but a three from junior Ainsley Thurber and a jumper from junior McKenna Reggear capped a 7-2 run for the Argos giving UP a 20-17 lead heading into the second.
 
The Bulldogs got hot from behind the arc to start the second period to retake the lead but the Argos responded with back to back threes from senior Ashlee Maldonado to five UP a 28-27 edge midway through the second
 
For the rest of the quarter the teams exchanged baskets as UP held a 35-34 lead going into halftime. 
 
The Argos started the second half with a 5-0 run off a three from Ashlee Maldonado and a layup from sophomore Eliannah Ramirez, but a free throw from the Bulldogs brought Montana Western within four halfway through third quarter. 
 
Montana Western continued their momentum hitting a pair of free throws to give the Bulldogs a 48-47 lead going into the fourth quarter. 
 
For the first five minutes of the fourth quarter both teams went back and forth but a three from Ashlee Maldonado with three minutes remaining gave the Argos a 57-53 lead. 
 
Despite late pressure from Montana Western the Argos sealed the game at the free throw line picking up a 66-58 victory in Dillon. 
 
Ashlee Maldonado led the way for UP with 31 points and Monique Carter added 11. 
 
The Argos will be back in action Thursday Feb. 20 when they travel to Havre to face MSU-Northern. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium.