BUTTE, Mont. – The hot No. 11 Lewis-Clark State Warriors continued their path into the post season tournament defeating Montana Tech 85-77. 

Definitely a banner year winning their third regular season and tournament title, the Orediggers had won their last 13 games going into the NAIA National Championship Second Round presented by Ballogy.

In a very evenly matched game, the Warriors were able to edge the Orediggers in three pointers and free throws. There were 13 lead changes, and the teams tied the game 7 times. 

Lewis-Clark went 10 for 21 from beyond the arc while starting off 7 for 14 in the first half. Montana Tech went  6 of 21 in the game making just two after halftime. 

The Warrior took advantage at the free throw line shooting an impressive 90.5% missing just two free throws on the night. The Orediggers made 19 of 29 free throw attempts just below their average.

Davian Brown was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free throw line and hit 3 of 6 from long. Brown led the Warriors with 18 points and also contributed 5 rebounds.

The Warriors had six of the eight-man roster reach double-digit scoring.  

Sophomore Hayden Diekhans 18 points and 6 rebounds lead the team in both categories. Diekhans went 3 for 4 from three-point range and shot 50% from the field.

Caleb Bellach had 17 points shooting 50% on the night and hit 7 of 10 from the free throw line. 

Asa Williams had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. 

Ifeanyi Okeke led the Tech bench that put up 18 points in the game with 10. He also had 2 rebounds and a block. 

Michael Ure had 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

The Orediggers finish the year with an overall record of 27-5 and their third straight season with 27 or more victories.