LEWISTON, Idaho – The Montana Tech men's basketball team shot 54.7 percent from the field but Lewis-Clark State shot a remarkable 33-of-55 (.600) on their way to the 83-69 victory.

The lost marks the fifth straight for the Orediggers, who falls to 13-11 overall and 4-6 in the Frontier. The Warriors improve to 20-6 overall and 6-4 in the conference.

Tech currently sits tied in sixth place in conference standing with Rocky Mountain College who also lost tonight. However, the Battlin' Bears hold the tiebreaker over the Diggers for sixth and final spot in the playoffs next month.

L-C took an early 14-8 lead in the first half but Tech's 8-2 run capped by a jumper by Adam Greger tied up the contest at 16 all with just under 12 to go. The Warriors would then heat up from the field and jump to a 30-20 advantage with 7:02 left in the half. Tech pulled within six at 38-30 but L-C hit back-to-back three pointers including one from Brady Bagby as time expired to take the 44-32 lead at the half.

The hot shooting would continue for the Warriors as they saw their lead go up to 19 (79-60). The Diggers made a late rally but it was too late as the Warriors held on to the victory.
Greger had is third straight 20-point performance a game-high 22 on 10-of-18 shooting. Forward Paul Engstrom added 13 points while Trent Thompson filled up the stat sheet with nine points, six boards and five assists off the bench.

Reigning National NAIA Player of the Week Jacob Wiley led three Warriors in double figures with 19.

The Copper and Green look to rebound next week when they travel to Helena and face rival Carroll College on Thursday.