BUTTE, Mont. -- The University of Providence women's basketball team fell to #15 Montana Tech 60-57 in the Frontier Conference Quarterfinals Friday afternoon.

The Argos (15-14) scored the first four points of the game behind a jumper from junior Eliannah Ramirez and a layup from senior Ainsley Thurber and following a layup from the Orediggers (23-4), a three-pointer from senior Camryn Cartwright and a jumper from senior McKenna Reggear put UP in front 10-2.

Montana Tech answered, outscoring the Argos 14-2 for the rest of the quarter as UP went into the break trailing 17-14.

The Orediggers continued their momentum into the second quarter pushing the lead out to nine, but a layup from freshman Madi Reibel and a triple from Dial shortened the Oredigger advantage to two.

Montana Tech ended the half with a 5-0 run as UP went into the break trailing 30-23.

The Argos opened the second half with an 8-2 run behind a pair of jumpers from Reggear to cut the lead to one, but over the next three minutes Montana Tech quickly increased the lead back to seven.

Each side went back-and-forth the rest of the quarter as UP went into the break trailing 48-42.

Both teams traded baskets over the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter but an 8-2 stretch from the Argos behind a jumper from Dial and a triple from Reibel cut the Montana Tech lead to 54-53 with two minutes remaining.

Following a basket from both teams, a pair of free throws from Reggear gave the Argos a 57-56 lead, but free throws on the other end from the Orediggers put Montana Tech ahead 58-57 with nine seconds left.

The Argos could not capitalize on the offensive side and the Orediggers made their free throws down the stretch as the Argos fell to Montana Tech in the Frontier Conference Quarterfinals 60-57.

The Argos will now wait for the NAIA Women's Basketball selection show on Thursday, March 5 to see if UP punches their ticket to the NAIA National Tournament