GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's basketball team fell to Montana Western 71-67 Friday night.

The Bulldogs (12-13) scored the first points of the game off a pair of free throws but a layup from senior McKenna Reggear and a jumper from junior Brooke Dial put UP in front 4-2.

Both teams went back-and-forth but the Argos (15-12) ended the quarter on a 7-0 run behind a three-pointer from senior Camryn Cartwright and free throws from freshman Dymon Root to put UP ahead 16-13 heading into the break.

Montana Western clawed back throughout the second quarter, forcing ties at 21, 23, 25, and 28 before a three-point play from Root put UP in front 31-30 heading into halftime.  

Each team traded baskets to begin the second half with ties at 36 and 38 until a pair of three-pointers gave the Bulldogs a 44-40 edge.

Montana Western maintained that margin for the rest of the quarter but a triple from Dial cut the Bulldog advantage to 50-49 heading into the fourth.

The Argos opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with layups from junior Eliannah Ramirez and Reggear to put UP in front by three.

UP continued their momentum with a triple from Ramirez and a jumper from Reggear to stretch the lead to five but the Bulldogs answered with seven-straight to go ahead by two. 

The Bulldogs pushed the lead out to three but a layup from Thurber on the other end brought the Argos within one with just over a minute remaining.

Montana Western banked in a three with 37 seconds left, and despite a late jumper from Reggear, the Bulldogs made their free throws down the stretch as UP fell to Montana Western 71-67.

The Argos will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 21 when they host Montana Tech for Senior Night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Great Falls, Mont.