GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team defeated #18 Rocky Mountain College 71-57 Friday night.
The Battlin' Bears (12-6) scored the first five points of the game but three straight layups on the other end from juniors
Brooke Dial and
Eliannah Ramirez put the Argos (11-7) ahead 6-5. Â
Each side traded baskets the rest of the quarter with a layup from senior
Ainsley Thurber tying the game at 12 heading into the break.
The Argos started the second quarter with an 8-1 run behind layups from Dial and Thurber to take a 20-13 lead, and following a pair of baskets from the Battlin' Bears, a three-pointer and a pair of free throws from senior
McKenna Reggear kept the Argos ahead by eight.
The Battlin' Bears answered with an 8-0 run but a free throw from senior
Sofia Mokofisi put UP in front 26-25 heading into halftime.
Rocky Mountain College scored the first basket of the second half to take a two-point edge but a layup from Mokofisi tied the game at 28.
Both teams went back and forth with ties at 34 and 39 until the Argos ended the quarter on a 6-0 run behind a jumper from Dial and a three-pointer from
Madi Reibel to put UP in front 49-41 heading into the fourth.
The Battlin' Bears opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer but Thurber answered with a three of her own and a layup from Mokofisi pushed the Argo advantage to 10.
Rocky Mountain College responded with five-straight to cut the lead to four but three-pointers from Reggear and Dial pushed the lead back to 63-54 with five minutes remaining.
 The Argos continued their momentum with a three from senior
Camryn Cartwright to extend the lead to 11, and despite late pressure from the Battlin' Bears, the Argos defeated #18 Rocky Mountain College 71-57.
Junior
Brooke Dial led the way for the Argos with 18 points and junior
Eliannah Ramirez and senior
Ainsley Thurber added 15 and 13, respectively.
The Argos will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 17 when they host Carroll College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Great Falls, Mont.
