GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Montana Tech won their third-straight Frontier Conference Tournament in a decisive 93-77 victory over Carroll College.
The three straight conference tournament crowns is the second time in school history for a men's basketball team. Kelvin Sampson led the Orediggers to the other three-peat from 1983 to 1985. This year marks the first time a Tech team has won three regular season and three tournament titles.
The Orediggers struck first when
Hayden Diekhans made a layup after rebounding a missed jumper on the first possession. Tech went on an 8-2 run in the first five minutes. The lead lasted the entire game.
The Orediggers ended the half with their largest lead of the game up to that point 47-30. The largest lead of the game was 19 points near the end of the second half.
Tech mad 8 of 14 from beyond the arc lead by
Asa Williams who knocked down 5 of his 7 three-point attempts finishing with 19 points before the break. Williams had 31 points in the game going 8 for 12 from beyond the arc. Williams had 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
The Orediggers finished the half shooting 50% from the field, slightly lower than the three-point clip.
The Saints shot 38.5% from the field and went 2 for 7 from the three-point range. Carroll made 8 of 10 from the free throw line. The Saints went 22 for 25 from the line in the game.
The Saints opened the second half with a 12-6 run in the first five minutes. They would close the gap to 10 points during the second half, but that would be as close at the Saints would get to the Orediggers.
Tech shot 54.5% from the field and made 12 for 22 from three-point range.
The Orediggers had a season high 26 assists while committing just 12 turnovers.
The Saints had 18 turnovers which the Orediggers turned into 23 points.
Diekhans finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
Caleb Bellach had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Camdyn LaRance led the Tech bench that put up 18 points with 8. LaRance had 6 rebounds, an assist, and a block.
James Lang led the Saints with 21 points.
Andrew Cook had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
No. 8 Montana Tech will host the NAIA National Championship First & Second Rounds March 15-16 on Kelvin Sampson Court in the HPER Complex. The teams for this year's tournament will be announced on March 7th.
Matt Ehnes of Jared's Detours