GREAT FALLS, Mont. — With hopes of making a Cinderella run in the NAIA tournament, the Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team came up short of busting brackets in a near first-round upset.

The 15-seed Mountaineers were defeated by the two-seed Argo, 67-57, despite holding a halftime lead in what had potential to be a huge first-round upset. Providence managed to overpower Eastern Oregon in the second half, moving on to the second round.

In the first quarter, Eastern Oregon shot a solid 6-14 (42.9%) from the field and held a narrow 17-16 lead. The Mountaineers only ever led by as much as three points in the game, but the first half showed promise of a potential upset bid. Beverly Slater scored six points in the first frame to help the Mountaineers set the pace early.

In the second quarter, redshirt-junior guard Macie Elliott went off for 11 points off 4-4 shooting from the field and 3-3 shooting from three-point range. The Mountaineers went into halftime leading 32-31.

The third quarter was a turning point, as Eastern Oregon shot just 4-17 (23.5%) from the field. Meanwhile, the Argos went 7-13 (53.8%) and carried a 19-10 advantage in the frame to lead 50-42 heading into the final frame. Keanna Salave’a scored 14 of her 35 points in the third quarter for Providence.

The Argoes pulled away in the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 15 points midway through. Eastern Oregon managed to pull back within 10, but ultimately lost by a score of 67-57.

Kelsie Siegner led Eastern Oregon with 14 points, while Elliott finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Bayley Brennan totaled seven points and six boards, while Slater tallied six points and six rebounds. Eastern Oregon finished 20-53 (37.7%) from the field as a team.

The loss ends the season for the Mountaineers, who finished the year 21-8.