BILLINGS, Mont. – Tech dropped the 64-51 decision Saturday night against Rocky Mountain College at the Fortin Center. Rocky shot 52.1 from the field and limited Tech to just 37.3 from the field. The lost marks the seventh straight for the Orediggers.

In the face-paced first half Rocky to an early 12-7 lead. Freshman Flemming Okeke came off the bench and hit a jumper to spark the Digger offense. Midway through the first, Paul Engstrom battled for the offensive board and put back to pull Tech within four at 21-17. Rocky would answer back via a three pointer from Taylor Longo. RMC's lead would increase to 10 at 28-18 however it would be short lived as Engstrom completed a three-point play to end the drought. The Bears continued to battle and took the 34-21 lead into the locker room.

The Battlin' Bears caught on fire in the second half going on a 12-2 run to start the stanza. The Diggers scoring struggles continued until sophomore Marcus Payne hit a three to end the cold streak mid-way through the half. RMC would heat up from downtown and extend their lead to 23 at 58-35 with fewer than eight to go in the half. Tech continued to fight as John Chapman provided a much needed spark of the bench. The freshman forced a charged, grabbed a few rebounds and scored a fast-break bucket to chip away at the Battlin' Bear lead. Tech continued to rally chopping RMC's lead to 13 off of back-to-back scores by Adam Greger. However Rocky's offense was too great as they held on to the 64-51 victory.

Tech (13-13, 4-8 Frontier) was paced by senior Adam Greger with his fifth-straight 20-point performance and 11^th of the season team-high 21 points. Paul Engstrom added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Rocky improves to 18-9 overall and 7-6 in the Frontier. Sian Laine led the Bears with 20 points.
 
The Diggers return to the Mining City on Thursday Feb. 26^th when they host Montana Western at 7:30 p.m.