Women's Basketball

Argos Defeat #1 Marian To Advance to Programs First NAIA Semifinal

SIOUX, CITY, Iowa – The University of Providence women's basketball program defeated #1 Marian 78-68 to advance to the program's first NAIA semifinal Saturday afternoon.

The Argos (26-8) scored the first basket of the game off a three-pointer from senior Maddy Dixon to put UP in front. 

Argos would continue their momentum making it a 9-0 run to start the game behind layups from graduate transfer Ashlee Maldonado and freshman Keanna Salave'a.

The Knights (33-2) would hit a three to stop the run at nine, and following a free throw from the Knights, free throws from freshman Monique Carter gave the Argos an 11-6 lead.

Both sides would trade baskets until a 7-0 run from the Argos behind a layup from Carter and an and one from Dixon put the Argos ahead 20-8.

The Argos maintained that edge the rest of the way as they took a 24-12 lead into the second quarter.

Marian scored a layup to open the second, but a jumper on the other end from Carter kept the Argos ahead by 12.

Each team went back and forth with neither team putting together a run the rest of the half as the Argos led Marian 42-28 going into the break. Keanna Salave'a led the way for the Argos with 14 points in the first half.

The Knights opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, but a layup on the other end from Maldonado kept the Argos ahead by 13.

Both sides went back and forth until a 7-0 from the Argos behind a three from Dixon and a layup from junior Kolby Pimperton pushed the Argos lead out to 18.

Marian would slowly cut into the Argo lead the rest of the quarter as UP took a 61-49 advantage into the fourth. 

Ashlee Maldondo opened the final quarter with an and one layup, and following a jumper from Marian, freshman Eliannah Ramirez made a runner to make it 66-51.

Each team would score four in a row but a three from Marian cut the Argo lead to 12 midways through the fourth quarter.

The Argos would answer with a layup from Salave'a, and despite a late run from the Knights, UP made their free throws down the stretch as they defeated #1 Marian 78-68. Maldonado led the way for the Argos with 26 points and Dixon and Salave'a each added 17.