(Editor's note: University of Providence athletics media release)
Providence 85, Montana Tech 71
GREAT FALLS-- Parker Esary had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead the University of Providence women's basketball team to an 85-71 victory over Montana Tech Friday night.
"Parker did such a great job tonight," head coach Bill Himmelberg said. "Every other night it could be somebody different and tonight it was Parker. She came ready to play. She finished really well around the rim tonight."
Esary was one of four players in double figures for the Argos. Kenedy Cartwright scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds, Emilee Maldonado scored 15 points and eight assists while Jenna Randich netted 11 points for the Argos. As a team, the Argos shot 53% from the field, including 46% from beyond the arc.
"The girls followed the game plan really well," Himmelberg said. "Overall we came out ready to go. We shot the ball really well tonight. They executed what they wanted to do. I was really pleased with our offensive execution."
Mesa Williams chipped in 20 points for the Orediggers and Tavia Rooney netted 16.
"Tech was a tough team," Himmelberg said. "They're not going to go away. They fought and battled. Carly does a good job. I was glad we were able to withstand that run in the 4th quarter and just take control of the game and finish."
The Argos (13-8, 4-5) will have a quick turnaround, as they face off against Lewis Clark State tomorrow at 5:30 in the McLaughlin Center."
"We have to come back and execute again tomorrow," Himmelberg said. "Tonight we executed, tomorrow we have to find a way to do the same thing."
(Editor's note: Montana Tech athletics media release)
Montana Tech 82, Providence 80
GREAT FALLS-- Derrius Collins' rebound put back with 2.7 seconds left proved to be the big-time shot the Orediggers needed to get over the hump against ranked teams as Montana Tech defeated No. 8 University of Providence 82-80 at the McLaughlin Center Friday night.
After junior post Taylor England's attempt was off the mark after an offensive rebound, Collins came running down the lane to grab the loose ball and lay it in. The victory for the Diggers is their first of the season against a ranked team.
"Tonight was a great team win. Providence had not lost on their home floor before tonight, so we knew it would be a tremendous test," said coach Adam Hiatt. "UP is a great team, so we knew no matter how well we played it would come down to the last possession."
The Orediggers held a 10 point lead going into the intermission, 46-36, thanks to a phenomenal first half from Drew Huse who scored all 10 of his points in the opening stanza. Montana Tech finished the game shooting 52.5% from the field.
"We made big plays and kept our composure in a very intense Frontier Conference game. It was a great team win."
Down the stretch with Montana Tech trailing 80-78, Connor Kieckbusch scored his lone field goal of the game on a mid-range jumper with under a minute to play to tie the score. Sindou Diallo led the Diggers 24 points, Troy Owens Jr. scored 14, Taylor England added 12 and 10 rebounds for his 8th double-double, and Drew Huse scored 10. Derrius Collins scored 8 points, Dylan Pannabecker added 8, Kieckbusch scored 4 points, and Christian Jones scored 2 points.
Zaccheus Darko-Kelly led the Argos with 25 points. University of Providence shot 44.8% from the field and was 9-for-25 from three.
Montana Tech improves to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in Frontier Conference play.
The Orediggers travel to Havre to play MSU-Northern at 8 p.m. Saturday night.
