(Editor's Note: Montana Tech athletics release)
BUTTE, Mont.- Montana Tech just couldn't keep pace with Montana Western in the second half on Saturday night at Kelvin Sampson Court as the Orediggers fell 60-50.
Montana Tech (11-9) held a 23-20 advantage over Montana Western after huge second quarter rally. In the second quarter, the Orediggers outscored Western 11-4. The Diggers held the Dawgs to justs 1-for-10 shooting in the second stanza.
In the second half however, Western's Brynley Fitzgerald hit back-to-back threes to put the Bulldogs in front and the Dawgs never surrendered that lead.
Montana Tech, who shot 30.6% for the game was led in scoring by Celestina Faletoi who tallied 13 points. Mesa Williams added 11, Dani Urick scored 8, Kaylee Zard and Hailey Crawford each had 6, Mollie Peoples added 4, and Tavia Rooney scored 2 points.
Western had a trio of players score 11 points in Paige Holmes, Gracey Meyer, and Brynley Fitzgerald.The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 38.3% from the floor .
Montana Tech hits the road for their next three contests. The Orediggers play University of Providence at 5:30 p.m. in Great Falls on Friday January 31st.
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Taylor England did it again on Saturday night as the Orediggers defeated Montana Western 77-66 at Kelvin Sampson Court.
England, a junior from Helena, notched his seventh double-double of the season in the victory over the Bulldogs scoring 20 points and snagging 10 rebounds. England finished the contest 8-for-14 from the floor and collected four steals to pace the Diggers.
"I'm proud of our effort tonight," said Montana Tech head coach Adam Hiatt. "Western is one of the hottest teams in the league right now, so to be able to find a way to pull out a win was big four our program."
England wasn't the only Oredigger to step up when needed tonight as Sindou Diallo and Derrius Collins each scored 16 points. Collins was a perfect 4-for-4 from three and 6-of-7 from the floor. Troy Owens Jr. scored 14 points while Dylan Pannabecker added 6 and Drew Huse scored 5.
"Derrius Collins stepped up big in the second half and showed the type of player he can be. Troy Owens Jr. was fantastic as well. Now we will see if we can build on this."
With the Diggers taking a 35-32 lead into the half, Collins' four 3-pointers proved critical for Montana Tech. Collins knocked down three triples in a two minute stretch to push Montana Tech's lead to 16 points, 69-53.
Montana Tech shot 48.3% from the floor and 42.9% from three in the victory while Western managed 45.3% for the game and made nine threes.
The Orediggers improve to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in Frontier Conference action. The Orediggers have won 9 of their last 10 games and picked up their third straight Frontier Conference victory.
Montana Tech travels to Great Falls next Friday to take on University of Providence at 7:30 p.m.
