HELENA, Mont. – The Carroll Women's Basketball team defeated University of Providence 60-45 on Saturday afternoon behind an outstanding defensive effort.
 
In the first quarter, it was the Saints who controlled the tempo. Carroll outscored the Argos 18-8 in the opening period.
 
Providence got right back in it in the second quarter, slashing the Carroll lead to just two points heading into half time.
 
Tenacious defense and an efficient offensive attack carried the Saints throughout the second half, as they outscored Providence 34-21 in the final 20 minutes.
 
Carroll finished the game with 17 assists on 24 made field goals as a team, while holding one of the nation's most prolific offenses to just 45 points.
 
Jamie Pickens paced the Saints in scoring with 13 points, and she added five rebounds to go with. Danielle Wagner scored 11 points and also tacked on five rebounds. Kamden Hilborn was the other Saint in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
 
The Argos were led by Parker Esary, who finished with a game-high 14 points.
 
With Saturday's win, the Saints move to 7-3 in conference play and gain ground on both Providence and Rocky Mountain College, who lost to Montana Western on Saturday.
 
Carroll will now turn their sites to MSU-Northern, who they will play on Thursday evening at the PE Center.