SALEM, Ore. — The Montana Tech men's basketball team will play in the championship game of the Capital City Classic.

The Orediggers beat host Willamette 79-74 Friday night to advance to the title game. They'll play Western Oregon at 8 p.m. (Mountain) Saturday.

“We're in the championship game of the tournament, and these guys are excited about that,” Tech coach Aaron Woliczko said.

Freshman Adam Greger scored 18 points to lead five Orediggers in double digits.

A.J. Paine scored 16, Byan Bock tossed in 14, Daniel Simon netted 11 and Tyree Haynie scored 10.

Simon also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds to held the Orediggers gain a 47-36 rebounding edge.

Tech led 36-26 at halftime. Woliczko said his team let the Bearcats back in the game, but he was happy they pulled out the win.

Ryan Meehan scored 20 points to lead the Bearcats.

“We knew these guys were going to be tough,” Woliczko said. “They go wild and crazy, run up and down and make threes. They're always in the game. We couldn't guard them in the second half.”

The coach said the Orediggers' time management down the stretch was key.

“We did get stops and rebounds when we needed to,” he said. “It was a great to get another close win and knock it out.”

The Orediggers also shot 17 for 22 at the free throw line. Woliczko pointed out that Willamette attempted just 19 free tosses, making 12.

“One of the best things we do as a team is make free throws,” Woliczko said.