(Editor’s note: Montana Tech media releases)
DILLON – The Montana Western men’s and women’s basketball teams swept visiting Montana Tech on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Western women cruised to an 89-68 win, while the Western men eked out a 70-65 victory.
No. 4 Montana Western women 89, Montana Tech 68
The No. 4 Montana Western Bulldogs outpaced Montana Tech 89-68 in the final road game of the regular season.
The Orediggers (12-14, 2-13) couldn’t keep up with the Bulldogs (22-2, 13-2) who are making their mark as one of the top teams in the country this season.
Sophomore Mesa Williams turned in a solid performance3 with 22 points on 7 of 13 shooting. While the Orediggers struggled from beyond the arc going 4 of 15, Williams hit 3 of
her 6 attempts from deep.
Montana Western had 46 points in the paint while shooting 53.5 percent from the field.
Brianna King led the Bulldogs with 26 points.
Kaylee Zard had a game-high 11 rebounds and added 7 points.
Celestina Faletoi had 11 points going 5 for 5 from the field.
Montana Tech returns home for their final three games Saturday. The Orediggers host another top-25 opponent when No. 17 Lewis-Clarke State comes to the HPER Complex.
Montana Western men 70, Montana Tech 65
The Orediggers came from behind in the second half, but came up short against Montana Western 70-65.
Montana Tech (15-12, 5-10) trailed 41-29 at the half and battled their way back into the game in the second frame. The Orediggers had a 62-60 lead with 3:44 left in the game.
The Bulldogs netted six straight points going ahead 66-62.
With under 20 seconds to play, Troy Owens Jr. passed the ball inside to Taylor England who made the layup and picked up the foul bringing the score to 66-65. England missed the free throw and the Bulldogs grabbed the rebound and went to the free throw line. Derrek Durocher hit both free throws making the score 68-65 with 8 ticks left on the clock.
An Oredigger turnover ended the game.
England led the Orediggers with 14 points and completed a double-double with 14 rebounds.
Montana Tech shot just 36.8 percent from the field in the game and hit 5 of 22 from deep.
Owens Jr. had 14 points and Nate Ward netted 13.
Cedric Boone led the Bulldogs with 20 points.
Montana Tech returns home for their final three games of the regular season. The Orediggers host Lewis-Clark State Saturday night on Kelvin Sampson Court.
