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HELENA, Mont. -- The No. 8 Carroll College women's basketball team begins a four-game road trip with a Top 25 battle against No. 22 Providence on Friday in Great Falls. 

The Fighting Saints (15-6, 7-3 Frontier Conference) haven't played the Argonauts since opening up the conference schedule against them on Nov. 29, a night that favored the Saints in Helena 74-69. 

Carroll and Providence have both evolved in different ways since then. Providence will be without starter Jen Randich, but continues to develop its younger class.

"They had a lot of freshmen playing big minutes," Saints coach Rachelle Sayers said. "Those freshmen are now more experienced. They've had to adjust as well. They still have a great point guard and a great center that are going to take a lot of our attention."

Randich averaged 14.2 points per game for the Argonauts, but last played Dec. 7. The scoring burden now falls on the shoulders of Emilee Maldonado (15.9 points per game) and Parker Esary (14.3 points per game, 10.2 rebounds). 

The Argonauts' size propels them to being one of the best rebounding teams in the NAIA. The Argos are No. 2 in total rebound defense (30.4) and No. 7 in total rebound margin (11). 

The Saints counter with a defense that continues to clench opponents. Carroll's defense ranks No. 7 in the NAIA, allowing 53.4 points per game. 

Recent scoring woes have slowed the Saints. While Hannah Dean continues to do a little of everything for the Saints -- 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game -- the rest of the offensive production slipped last week, an area the Saints have vowed to shore up with more efficient offense and a quicker tempo. 

"We've had some offensive struggles the last few games, so that's been our focus," Sayers said. 

Though the Argonauts have struggled in the Frontier Conference -- losing four of their last five -- they're also the only team that has bested No. 3 Montana Western. 

After Carroll faces Providence, they head farther north to take on a steadily improving Montana State-Northern on Saturday. 
 
"They got two potential starters back that weren't playing when we played them," Sayers said. "They've definitely improved."