The University of Providence women’s basketball program advanced to the Frontier Conference Championship defeating Montana Western 79-68 on March 1.

Matt Ehnes of Jared’s Detours was there photographing the game for The Electric.

A free throw from freshman Keanna Salave’a scored the first point for the Argos but back-to-back three-pointers from the Bulldogs put Montana Western ahead by five, according to the recap from UP Athletics.

The Argos slowly cut into the lead with graduate transfer Ashlee Madonado and senior Maddy Dixon making layups to tie the game at 11.

After a jumper from the Bulldogs, a three from Maldonado and a layup from Salave’a gave the Argos a 17-13 lead, according to the recap.

Montana Western began the second with a pair of free throws but a layup from Salave’a kept the Argos ahead by three.

The Argos took a 35-34 lead into the break. Dixon led the way in the first half with 12 points.

The Bulldogs scored the first points of the second half but a three from junior Kolby Pimperton and free throws from Maldonado gave the Argos a 40-37 lead.

Both teams traded baskets until the Argos ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run behind a layup from Dixon and free throws from Maldonado to make it 61-54 heading into the fourth.

The Bulldogs opened the final quarter with a layup, but the Argos responded with a three-pointer from Dixon and a layup from Salave’a, pushing their lead to 10.

UP made it seven in a row but the Bulldogs kept the game within eight.

A layup from freshman Taliah Lee pushed the Argo lead back to 10, but back-to-back layups from Montana Western cut the Argo lead to six.

The Argos responded with a three from freshman Monique Carter and despite late pressure from the Bulldogs, a layup from Salave’a secured the 79-68 victory for the Argos.

Salave’a led the way with 20 points and 13 rebounds and Dixon and Maldonado each added 19 points, according to the recap.

The Argos play for the Frontier Conference Championship versus Carroll College at 7:30 p.m. March 2 at Pacific Steel and Recycling Four Seasons Arena at Montana Expo Park.