LEWISTON, Idaho — Upset was undoubtedly in the thoughts for Montana Tech before it bowed to 13th-ranked Lewis-Clark State 63-51 Wednesday night in the first round of the Frontier Conference college women's basketball playoffs.

The Orediggers led 14-4 early in the contest and 27-19 at halftime.

A 25-4 Lewis-Clark State run in the second half, however, swamped Montana Tech and the Warriors went on to their 26th win and another probable berth in national tournament, once they get the league playoffs out of their way.

“It was a fun game,” Oredigger head coach Kerie DePell said. “I think we did (throw a scare into them). We weathered a couple of their runs and answered them. That last one in the second half, though, we couldn't.”

The coach said the bounces that went her team's way in first half found the other side in the second, and the easy shots ceased being so effortless.

“We couldn't finish and, then, at the end, we had to foul and do some other things,” DePell said. “I'm proud of how far we've come since October.”

All-American Jasmine Stohr wound up with 22 points to lead L-C State. Bigfork alum Alyssa Fierro scored 12 and provided the spark in the second half that pushed the Warriors past Montana Tech.

The Orediggers were led by Bryn Hasquet with 21 points and Mandy Machinal with 16.

“Our two seniors showed great leadership all year,” DePell said, referring to Brianne McClafferty and Tabitha Tomlinson. “Consistency is what they've shown the other kids. All of the others are coming back next year and so I'm happy for the future of Tech basketball.

“I'm very proud of Tabby and Brianne finishing off their careers. They had a couple of national tournament flights and probably won more games than any other players at Tech in their careers.”

The coach lauded the performances, too, of Hasquet and Machinal.

“Bryn scored 21 points and was awesome tonight,” DePell said. “And, she guarded their best player, Stohr. She played 40 minutes. A freshman (Machinal) played 40 minutes. I'm excited for the future.”

The Orediggers played well enough to worry a nationally ranked team in one of the tougher arenas in the region to play.

“Until the middle of the second half, we were getting lucky bounces and things were going our way,” DePell said. “Then, they came out and decided they're not going to lose and they had the experience to do it. Every player they have has the experience of high-level playoff basketball.

“But we took them to the end and gave them a good fight.”