GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The (RV) Carroll College Women's Basketball team rallied in the fourth quarter, but saw their comeback bid come up short against No. 21 Providence, falling 59-55 on Monday afternoon at the Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena in the Frontier Conference Semifinals.

The Fighting Saints (19-11, 9-6) fell victim to a hot-shooting third quarter from the Argonauts (21-7, 9-6) in the ninth meeting between the teams in the last two seasons.

For any number of reasons, either team shot the ball well from the floor in the game's first 10 minute stanza as the Saints and Argos combined to shoot just 8-27 from the field in the first. Addi Ekstrom (Bozeman, Mont. / SR) and Willa Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-JR) combined for all 11 of Carroll's first quarter points, but a pair of free throws with just seconds remaining would give Providence a 13-11 lead after one.

Somehow, the shooting managed to fall off even further for both sides in the second quarter. Only five total field goals were made in the frame. Albrecht led the Saints with six points on a pair of three-pointers, but the Argos would go 6-8 from the stripe to slightly extend their lead to three heading into the half, 23-20.

The Argos came out of the break with some early momentum, going on a quick 6-0 run to start the half. Albrecht did well to keep Carroll within reach, leading all players with 11 points in the frame, but Providence's 62.5 percent shooting as a team would prove to be the difference. UP went 10-16 from the floor in the frame, out-scoring Carroll by nine to carry a 46-34 lead into the final quarter.

The Saints tightened the clamps defensively in the fourth, clawing back within one score with under a minute remaining. Four of the five Carroll starters scored four or more points in the frame, but the Argos would convert their shots at the free throw line down the stretch to hold on for a 59-55 win.

Willa Albrecht was outstanding in the loss, leading all players with a game-high 26 points on 70 percent shooting, while Addi Ekstrom matched her 15 point output from the opening round. Alex Bullock (Helena, Mont. / R-FR) pulled down a career-best eight rebounds in the game, extending Carroll possessions in the comeback effort.

Three Argos scored in double figures, led by Keanna Salave'a's 16-point, 11-rebound double-double, and 12 points from Ashlee Maldonado.

The Saints will now await the results of the NAIA Women's Basketball selection committee, and will wait for their name to be called as one of the 64 participants in this year's tournament. The selection show will take place Thursday, March 6 at 5 p.m.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.

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