HAVRE, Mont. – The No. 7 Montana Tech Orediggers faced tough travel and location for their first conference road game at The Armory at Montana State Northern. The Northern Lights held the lead going into the second half, but the Orediggers grinded to the end winning 62-60.
The Lights (8-7, 0-2) took the lead with five minutes to go in the first half and finished on a 12-5 run leading 37-30 at the break.
The Orediggers shot just 38.5% from the field in the first half. The Lights shot 46.2%.
The long ball was not on the menu tonight as Tech went 2 for 11 in the first half. The Lights had just one three before the break and went 4 of 18 on the night. Tech did slightly better making 6 of 23 attempts in the game.
The Orediggers came out of the locker room determined. Tech went on an. 18-10 run in the opening nine minutes.
Caleb Bellach hit a jumper putting Tech back in front 48-47 with 11 minutes left in the game.
The game had four lead changes and two ties down the stretch.
Just under three minutes left,
Hayden Diekhans hit a layup to put Tech up 58-57 and the final lead change of the night.
The Orediggers shot 53.8% from the field in the second half. Tech had their fewest field goal attempts of the season with 53 and finished the game shooting 46.2%.
Michael Ure led the Orediggers with 13 points.
Asa Williams and Diekhans had 12 points a piece. Diekhans finished with a game high 9 rebounds.
Zackery Martinez led the Lights with 13 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Dae'Kwon Watson and Jacob Randall had 12 points each. Randall led the Lights with 7.rebounds.
The Orediggers are in Helena Saturday taking on the Carroll College Fighting Saints at 4 p.m.