HAVRE, Mont.- Final score 52-51.  A back-and-forth game that was so close from start to finish, that it went an extra fame.

The largest lead of the game was five points, and both teams held that slim advantage once. The Skylights jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first quarter, which evaporated before the first 10 minutes were up, as the Orediggers fought back and made it a one-point game (9-8 Northern) going into the second quarter.

Montana Tech was on a 6-2 run to end the first and started the second quarter with a solid 6-0 run to open up a 14-9 lead midway through the second, their largest lead of the game. Northern would stop the run, but still found themselves down 20-16 at the half. Tech was led by Ally Cleverly and Kia Wasson with four points apiece after 20 minutes. The Frigid temperatures outside carried over in the Armory as Tech shot 21% in the first half, and the Lights right behind at 20%.

The second half got even colder.

Both teams had ample opportunity to go on a run and possibly break the game wide open, but not a shot would fall. The Orediggers were 3-18 from the floor in the 3^rd, the Skylights were 2-14. We went to the fourth and (not so) final frame tied 28-all.

The 4^th quarter was very different, as both teams got their offenses rolling. The teams combined for 30 points in the fourth, as both shot over 45% from the floor. But much like the first three quarters, the fourth quarter did not see any real runs, which led up to a fantastic finish.

Over the final two minutes of the fourth, there were 4 lead changes and 3 ties. With 1:23 left Savannah Toms rolled in a layup to put the skylights up 41-39. The next two possessions would go scoreless, a missed shot by the Diggs, and a Skylights turnover. The Orediggers, with possession, would get Challis Westwater an open jumper, and she would tie the game at 41 all, with :28 second left. Northern would waste no time, feeding the ball to Rachel Van Blaricom who would get a layup to put the Lights up 43-41 with :19 left.

Plenty of time.

Montana Tech would again find an open Challis Westwater with :09 seconds left, and her ninth point of the game would tie the game at 43.

The Skylights would get a look from downtown at the horn, but regulation would end tied at 43.

Overtime played out like the like the rest of the game, back and forth baskets with exceptional hustle out of both teams. Over the final five minutes there were seven different lead changes, and the final one belonged to the Skylights with a 3 pointer with :08 seconds remaining to give the Lights the lead, and the win.

MSU-Northern (7-8, 1-1 Frontier) was led by Rachel Van Blaricom with 10 points, she also pulled down 6 rebounds. The Skylights finished shooting 25.4% from the field, and 16% from the arc.

The Orediggers were paced by Liv Wangerin with 12 points, on 5-12 shooting. Brooklynn Hankwitz put up 11, and Challis Westwater netted 9 strong points. The Orediggers were outrebounded 48-34.
Montana Tech will be back in action Saturday at Carroll College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm in Helena.