Box Score BUTTE, Mont. – The Diggers keep their playoff hopes alive and snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 80-71 upset victory over no. 11 Montana Western Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd at the HPER.
Tech is in a must-win situation Saturday night when they host Westminster College. The Digger must beat the Griffins and Great Falls has to be MSU-Northern for the Copper and Green to clinch the sixth and final spot in next week's Frontier Conference Tournament.
The Diggers (14-13, 5-8 Frontier) shot the ball extremely well going 28-of-49 (.571) from the field and 60.0 percent from three-point range. Tech dished out the ball well as 18 of the team's 28 field goals were assisted.
Tech came out hot to start the game hitting five three pointers going on a 22-5 run. The Bulldogs cut the lead down to six (31-25) after free throws by Dexter Williams Jr. However, Tech's
Paul Engstrom 13 first-half points help the Diggers take the 14-point advantage (48-34) at the half.
Engstrom continued to roll in the second half scoring Tech's first two field goals to put the Diggers up 52-36 at the 17:51 mark. Western would chip away at Tech's lead to pull within on with 6:22 to go. However,
Chase Haack subbed into the game knocking down back-to-back shot to give Tech a five-point cushion.
The Bulldogs made several attempts to make a late rally, but free throw hurt Western. The Bulldogs shot just 51.6 percent from the stripe and went 9-for-21 in the second half.
Tech on the other hand went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the 80-71 victory.
Senior
Adam Greger had 21 points for Tech despite being plagued by foul trouble. Greger's 20-point performance marks his 12 of the season and second straight.
Chase Haack earned his first double-double in a Tech uniform with 12 points and 12 rebounds in his return. Haack also had six assists and a block in the win. Engstrom added 17 points while
Reid Baerlocher went 4-for-7 from deep for 12 points.
The first-place Bulldogs drop to 21-8 and 9-5 in the Frontier. Stephen McCall had a game-high 33 points for Western.
The Diggers are back in action Saturday when the host Westminster at 7:30 p.m.
