GREAT FALLS, Mont., December 5, 2019 – Five Battlin' Bears scored in the double digits as No. 25 ranked Rocky Mountain College outlasted No. 19 ranked University of Providence 86-77 in an overtime thriller Thursday night. Markaela Francis shot 78.6 percent from the floor for a career-high 27 points with 14 rebounds to lead the team in both categories

A close game the entire way through, neither team was able to build a double digit lead through six lead changes. 

The Battlin' Bears entered the fourth period down by three points trailing 56-53. With nearly four and a half minutes left in the game, Rocky managed to retake the lead. Both teams traded it back and forth in the final minutes. Providence's Emilee Maldonado gave the Argos a single point lead  at 71-70 with nearly a minute left in the game. A free throw by Francis with just 10 seconds left forced the decisive overtime period.

In overtime, Rocky managed to build a nine point lead, the largest of the game on either side, to clinch the upset and give the Battlin' Bears their first conference win of the season.

Beyond Francis' career night, Destinee Pointer scored 17 points while Kloie Thatcher was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line on her way to 15 points. Both Mackenzie Dethman and Antuanisha Wright posted 10 point performances.

Maldonado finished with 21 points and seven rebounds for the Argos. Parker Esary scored 16 points while Bailey Cartwright had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Battlin' Bears finished the night shooting 55.2 percent from the field while landing 2-of-14 on their 3-point attempts. Providence finished the night shooting 38.4 percent and 25 percent from beyond the arc. 

The Battlin' Bears will return to the court on Saturday against No. 14 ranked MSU-Northern in Havre, Mont.