LEWISTON, Idaho -- The Montana Tech men's and women's basketball teams traveled to Lewis-Clark State on Saturday, each dropping a double-digit Frontier Conference basketball loss to ranked Warrior teams. The No. 21 Lewis-Clark women pulled away in the second half for a 76-62 win, while the fifth-ranked L-C men did the same, pulling away for an 81-67 win.
Lewis-Clark State women 76, Montana Tech 62
The Montana Tech women's basketball team made an impressive run at No. 21 Lewis-Clark State on Saturday night before falling 76-62 to the Warriors.
Montana Tech (12-11 overall, 2-10 Frontier Conference) trailed the Warriors 33-32 at the halftime but was outdone in the second half when L-C State shot 53 percent in the third quarter and 46 percent in the fourth. Montana Tech finished the night firing at a 37 percent clip from the field and 5-for-15 from downtown.
The Orediggers had three players reach double figures with a pair of 19-point performances from Mesa Williams and Celestina Faletoi. Mollie Peoples was also in double digits with 10 points. Dani Urick and Tavia Rooney each added six points while Hope Lalau scored two. Rooney and Williams each added 10 rebounds apiece.
Kiara Burlage scored a career-high for L-C State with 26 points.
The Warriors improve to 16-6 overall and 8-4 in the Frontier Conference. L-C State is tied for the top of the standings.
Montana Tech gets back in action next week hosting MSU-Northern on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.
Lewis-Clark State men 81, Montana Tech 67
Montana Tech's back-and-forth battle with No. 5 Lewis-Clark State went to the Warriors on Saturday night at the LCSC Activity Center, 81-67.
Montana Tech (14-9 overall, 6-6 Frontier Conference) trailed the Warriors 33-32 at halftime after shooting 42 percent from the floor. The Warriors shot 46 percent for the game.
"We had a great back-and-forth game for 36 minutes until they made big plays down the stretch and we did not," said Montana Tech head coach Adam Hiatt. "The game came down to four minutes and we didn't finish as well as they did. L-C State is playing with great confidence and togetherness now; in order to beat them you have to be flawless, and we were short of that tonight."
Montana Tech's lone double-digit scorer was junior forward Taylor England who scored 18 points and was 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Troy Owens Jr., Drew Huse, and Sindou Diallo each scored nine points while Dylan Pannabecker added eight. Cody Baumstarck and Connor Kieckbusch scored six each and Derrius Collins scored two points.
Lewis-Clark State was led by Damek Mitchell's 19-point performance.
"After completing the toughest four-game road stretch in the league, we are excited to be back home for the next four and get our momentum back," added HIatt.
The Orediggers return home to play MSU-Northern on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
