GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated Rocky Mountain College 68-53 Saturday afternoon.
 
The Argos (17-7) scored the first basket of the game off a layup from sophomore Keanna Salave'a but the Battlin' Bears (15-10) responded with a basket of their own to tie the game at two.
 
The Argos would then go on a 17-2 run capped off with two threes from junior Ainsley Thurber to give the Argos a 15-point lead with four minutes to go in the first.
 
Rocky Mountain College immediately answered, scoring 12 of the next 14 as UP went into the break leading 19-14.
 
The Battlin' Bears grabbed the lead midway through the second, and following a pair of lead changes, UP went on a 8-2 run in the last two minutes of the half behind baskets from senior Ashlee Maldonado, Salave'a and Ramirez to give the Argos a 33-27 lead going into the break. Thurber led the Argos with 10 points in the first half.
 
The Argos made the first bucket of the second half off a jumper from sophomore Monique Carter, but the Battlin' Bears responded with a score of their own to keep it a six-point game.
 
Both teams went back and forth for most of the quarter until baskets from Carter and Salave'a put the Argos up eight with four minutes to go.
 
UP continued their momentum with a jump shot from Thurber to push the Argo lead out to 11 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Argos opened the fourth with a jumper from Ashlee Maldonado, and despite the Battlin' Bears cutting the lead to eight, another three from Maldonado secured the Argos 68-53 victory over Rocky Mountain College.
 
Keanna Salave'a led the Argos with 17 points and nine rebounds while Ainsley Thurber added 16 points and Ashlee Maldonado had 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
 
The Argos will be back in action Thursday, Feb. 13 when they host Carroll College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.