(Editor’s note: Montana Tech Athletics media releases)
BUTTE — The No. 22 Rocky Mountain Battlin’ Bears overpowered the Orediggers in the second half Saturday night with a 72-55 victory.
Montana Tech (10-5, 0-4) struggled to find their shot in the third quarter netting just six points after a 26-26 score at the break. The Oreidggers shot 27.6 percent in the second half after shooting 42.3 percent in the first.
Rocky (12-4, 3-1) scored 46 coming out of the locker room at halftime. The Battlin’ Bears shot 59.3 percent in the second half and hit 5 of 11 from deep
Mollie Peoples led the Orediggers off the bench with 13 points. Peoples shot 2 for 4 from beyond the arc and hit 5 of her 6 free throws. Dani Urick had 11 points and 5 steals, and Kaylee Zard had 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Markaela Francis had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Rocky. Brooke Jones had 15 points and 4 rebounds. Butte native Kloie Thatcher had 9 points and 6 assists.
The Orediggers are home again next Thursday when the host the University of Providence on Kelvin Sampson Court.
The Montana Tech men’s basketball team got the signature win they were looking for Saturday night against Rocky Mountain College, 75-67.
After both teams were tied at 30 at the half, Montana Tech surged ahead thanks to 54 percent shooting in the second half. Montana Tech finished the contest shooting 47 percent from the floor while holding Rocky to 41 percent from the field and forcing 14 turnovers.
A one-two punch of Troy Owens Jr. and Nate Ward led the Diggers offensively. Owens Jr. finished the contest with a season-high 28 points on 9-15 shooting and Ward tallied 20 markers on a 5-7 shooting night. Derrius Collins and Taylor England chipped in nine and six respectively. England led the way for the Diggers on the boards collecting nine rebounds.
Jared Samuelson led the way for Rocky with 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
The Orediggers improved to 12-4 overall and 2-2 in Frontier Conference play with the victory over the Battlin Bears. Montana Tech hits the floor again when they play host to the University of Providence on Thursday night at 7:30 P.M
