(Editor's Note: Montana Tech athletics releases)
BUTTE -- The Montana Tech women and Montana State-Northern men claimed Frontier Conference basketball wins on Thursday. The Tech women received a big game from Mollie Peoples on their way to a 63-55 victory, while the Northern men overcame a big game from Sindou Diallo for a 63-56 win.
Montana Tech women 63, Montana State-Northern 55
Montana Tech won the season series with the Skylights winning the rubber match 63-55 at Kelvin Sampson Court.
The Orediggers (13-12, 3-0 Conf.) jumped out to an early 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to some timely early baskets by Mollie Peoples. Peoples scored a game-high 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting and a 2-for-3 effort from three point land.
The Orediggers held Northern to 0% shooting in the third quarter when they outpaced the Skylights 17-6 in the third frame. Montana Tech also out-rebounded the the Skylights 48-31.
Montana Tech shot 37% from the floor and 43% from three point land in the victory. Kaylee Zard and Tavia Rooney each tallied double-doubles on the evening. Zard finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds while Rooney added 11 points and 11 boards. Dani Urick scored eight, Mesa Williams scored 7 and Celestina Faletoi scored 3.
MSU-Northern was led in scoring by Mckenzie Gunter who had 17 points.
The Orediggers return to action Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. when they host University of Providence.
Montana State-Northern men 63, Montana Tech 56
The Orediggers lost steam in the second half and lost to MSU-Northern 63-56 on Thursday night at Kelvin Sampson Court.
Montana Tech (14-10, 6-7 Conf.) struggled to find the nylon in after taking a 32-19 lead into halftime. The Orediggers shot 50% in the first half but were just 9-for-28 from the floor in the second stanza. The Diggers also went 0-for-6 from downtown in the second half.
The Orediggers received a game-high 24 points from Sindou Diallo while Drew Huse chipped in 11 points. Dylan Pannabecker and Taylor England each scored 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while Cody Baumstarck added 4 points and 8 rebounds. Christian Jones scored 3 and Troy Owens Jr. added 2.
MSU-Northern was led in scoring by Kavon Bey who scored 15 points.
The Orediggers return to action on Saturday night when they host University of Providence at 7:30 p.m.
