DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Tech women's basketball late rally falls short as they dropped the 76-71 decision against Montana Western Saturday night at the Straugh Gymnasium.

Tech erased a 17-point second-half deficit to pull within four with 27 seconds left thanks to a three pointer by Mandy Machinal and a jumper by Martha Dembek. But Montana Western's Sierra Higheagle would hit key free throws to seal the victory for the Bulldogs.

The Diggers (8-14, 0-7 Frontier) had four players in double figures including Dembek with a team-high 17. Machinal added 16 while Hattie Thatcher and Kayla DeWit chipped in with 12 each. Shayla Mack had an all-around game for Tech with six points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals in her second start of the season.

Montana Western (9-14, 1-7 Frontier) was led by Kaye Bignell who had a game-high 19 points.

Tech starts up the second half of conference play Thursday when they host the Argos of the University of Great Falls at 5:30 p.m.