University of Providence women’s basketball defeated Reinhardt University 80-69 on March 16 to advance in the NAIA National Tournament.

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

The Argos scored the first basket of the game off a layup from freshman Monique Carter and shortly after a jumper from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado gave the Argos a 4-0 lead, according to the game recap from UP Athletics.

The Eagles responded with an and one but a layup from freshman Keanna Salave’a kept the Argos ahead by three.

Reinhardt continued their momentum with a 7-0 run but a layup from senior Maddy Dixon and a three from Maldonado made it a one-point game.

The Eagles stretched their lead out to six the rest of the quarter as the Argos went into the second trailing 17-11.

Dixon scored the first four points of the second quarter for the Argos but a three at the other end kept the Eagles ahead by five.

Free throws from Salave’a cut the lead to four and a three-pointer from junior Kolby Pimperton made it 21-20 midway through the second quarter, according to the recap.

Each side traded baskets until a pair of layups from Salave’a and a layup from freshman Taliah Lee gave the Argos a 31-26 lead.

UP made it an 8-0 run off a second chance layup from sophomore McKenna Reggear, and after a free throw from the Eagles, a three from Maldonado gave the Argos a 36-27 edge going into the break.

Dixon opened up the second half with a layup, and following a three from the Eagles, a jumper from Maldonado kept the Argos ahead by 10, according to the recap.

A layup from Pimperton and a three from freshman Eliannah Ramirez put the Argos ahead 49-37.

Reinhardt opened the final quarter with an 11-2 run but a jumper from Lee kept the Argos ahead by five.

Each side went back and forth over the next three minutes until another three-pointer from Lee gave the Argos a 73-66 lead with two minutes remaining, according to the recap.

Reinhardt respond with a three, but the Argos made their free throws down the stretch to defeat Reinhardt 80-69.

Maldonado led the way with 23 points and Dixon and Salave’a added 16 and 12, respectively, according to the recap.

The Argos play in the round of 16 on March 21 at the NAIA National Tournament in Iowa.