DILLON, Mont. – Montana Western's second-half surge lifts the Bulldogs to an 86-76 victory over Montana Tech Saturday night at Straugh Gymnasium. The Orediggers shot 56.7 percent from the field in the first half but was limited to just 29.4 percent in the second.

Tech (13-8, 4-3 Frontier) got off to a strong start in the first half taking an early 7-1 lead via an Antonio Snow jumper. Montana Western bounced back tying up the contest at 14 all midway through the half. The Diggers would then get hot from the field taking a nine point lead, 35-26, thanks to a Paul Engstrom layup with 5:10 remaining. The Bulldogs cut Tech's lead down to four with eight seconds remaining but Akeem Williams' three pointer from half court gave the Diggers a seven point advantage, 47-40 going into halftime.

The Orediggers would push their lead to 11 (54-43) off of an Antonio Snow three pointer early on in the second half. However fouls would plagued the Diggers early on in the half. The Bulldogs reached the double bonus midway through the half thanks to the 10 to 3 foul difference. Western shot 19 free throws in the half making 13 of them. Tech shot just seven free throws in the half connecting on all of them. Western used the charity stripe as an advantage and outscored Tech 46-31 in the second half in the victory.

Snow scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the first half to lead the Orediggers. Senior Adam Greger added 21 points while Chase Haack contributed with 12.

Montana Western (17-5, 5-2 Frontier) took a share of the top spot of the Frontier Conference with the win. Stephen McCall paced the Bulldogs with 21 points and 10 assists.

The Orediggers prepare for a battle for first place when they host University of Great Falls Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.