BUTTE, Mont. – The women's basketball team opened up the 2015-16 season with a convincing 115-52 victory over the visiting Northwest Indian College Sunday afternoon on Kelvin Sampson Court.

The Digger defense played a key role as it limited the Eagles to just .277 percent (18-65) from the field and forced 19 NWIC turnovers. Montana Tech also had 16 steals on the night.

Tech shot .523 (46-88) from the field and .412 from beyond the arc. Tech also dished out 39 assists as a team. The Diggers also outrebounded the Eagles 60-32.

The Orediggers (1-0) saw six players score in double figures including Martha Dembek. The forward poured in a game- and career-high 25 points along with 15 rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Rachel Farris added 19 points while Sammy McGree had 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assist and three steals in her Digger debut. Guards Shayla Mack and Kimi Heng added 13 and 11 points respectively off the bench.

Hattie Thatcher had a stellar night with 11 points and 20 assists in the game. Thatcher broke Montana Tech's single game assists record which was previously held by Sherry Sparks (14) in 1990 against Doane College.

Kira Butler had 16 points for NWIC.

Both teams square off again on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the HPER Complex.