LEWISTON, Idaho -- Sixth-seeded Montana Tech hung with third-seeded Lewis-Clark State through the first half, but the Warriors used a 20-10 third-quarter advantage to pull away for a 63-52 win in the first round of the Frontier Conference women's basketball playoffs Wednesday at the LCSC Activity Center.
Montana Tech trailed the Warriors by just three points at halftime, 31-28, but former Columbia Falls High School standout Kiara Burlage scored the first six points of the second half to help Lewis-Clark build some separation. The Warriors led by as many as 15 points in the third.
Burlage finished with a game-high 21 points, recording a double-double with 10 rebounds. The Orediggers were led by Tavia Rooney, who had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kaylee Zard scored six points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for the Orediggers.
Tech (14-17 overall) sees its season end, while Lewis-Clark (20-9) will next travel to reigning national champion Montana Western (20-10) for a Frontier Conference semifinal game. Tipoff between the Warriors and Bulldogs is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday.
