BUTTE, Mont. – The Montana Tech Orediggers defeated Concordia University of Edmonton 93-72 Saturday night on Kelvin Sampson Court. The Orediggers improved to 2-0 on the young season behind strong performances by
Jalen Coates,
Lukas Vining, and
Paul Engstrom.
Coates, scored 16 of his team-high 28 points in the first half to go along with four assists and two steals. The Sacramento native was a smooth 11-for-13 from the floor and 2-for-2 from behind the arc.
Freshman
Lukas Vining, who made his first collegiate start, recorded his first career double-double tallying 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Diggers.
Paul Engstrom scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against the Thunder for his second consecutive double-double of the season. Engstrom scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe.
Jason Jones led the Thunder with a game-high 30 points.
Montana Tech shot 44-percent from the field and 75-percent from the free throw line.
The Orediggers return to action next Sunday against Northwest Indian College. That game is set to tip at 4:30 PM.
Notes: Head coach
Patrick O'Herron is now 5-0 in the month of October. The Orediggers are now 30-8 (.789) against Canadian opponents since 2003.
