Box Score BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Tech started their 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship quest in front of a loud, and at times frenzied, home crowd on Kelvin Sampson Court. The packed house and solid defense helped the Orediggers achieve their first win of the tournament 75-67 over Wayland Baptist. 

The Orediggers led most of the game, but the first half was much closer than the second frame. 

Caleb Bellach hit an opening three pointer and Asa Williams followed with a three of his own and a jumper. Hayden Diekhans and Ifeanyi Okeke each put in a layup and Tech had a quick 10-4 lead in less than four minutes into the game. 

Tech led by as many as nine in the first half, but Wayland stayed on their heels finishing the half trailing 37-34 at the break.

After the opening pair of three-pointers, the long ball cooled off. The Orediggers shot 45.2% from the field in the first half and hit just 3 of 13 from beyond the arc. 

The Pioneers shot 33.3% from the field and went 3 for 11 from long. 

After tying the game briefly at the beginning of the second half, the Pioneers turned the ball over and couldn't get a shot in as the Orediggers went on a 13-5 run to lead 67-54 with under five minutes to play. The lead was more than enough to finish the game. 

The Orediggers shot 48.3% from the field despite making just one three in the second half. Tech had just nine turnovers and finished with 16 assists. 

Tech had four blocked shots and scored 14 points off the Pioneers 13 turnovers. 

The Pioneers led at the boards grabbing 42 rebounds and 17 on the offensive side. The Orediggers had 32 rebounds. 

Williams led Tech in scoring with 18 points while shooting 7 for 15 from the field. He finished with 4 rebounds, and a pair of assists.

Bellach was the only other Oredigger in double-figures finishing with 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting. Bellach had 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.

Diekhans showed why he was the Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The sophomore had 2 blocked shots and a steal to go with his 6 rebounds and 7 points. 

Keeley Bake led the Tech bench that put up 26 points with a 9 point game. Bake added 4 rebounds and 3 assists to his night. 

Quentin Coleman led the Pioneers with 19 points hitting 3 for 7 from deep. 

D'Michael Bellfield had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Meikkel Murray finished with 13 points and Tahjae Hill had 12 points. 

The No. 3 Orediggers (27-4) face No. 11 Lewis-Clark State (23-8) in the second round tomorrow night. The Warriors upset No. 6 Hope International 93-77 in the first game of the evening. The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds presented by Ballology wraps up tomorrow night. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

If you would like to support the Diggers during their championship journey, please support men's basketball through the Digger Athletic Fund. For more information and to support go HERE.