BUTTE, Mont. – The women's basketball team earned a playoff berth despite falling to No. 3 Westminster 65-51 Saturday at the HPER Complex on senior day.

Tech earned the sixth and final spot in the Frontier Tournament after Rocky Mountain College fell to Carroll College 57-55 and MSU-Northern defeated University of Great Falls 75-60. Tech returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The Diggers will face No. 21 Carroll College in the quarterfinals on Tuesday in Helena. Time and ticket information will be determined at a later time.

Both teams started slow out of the gate with neither team scoring in the first four minutes. Senior Kabri Emerson ended the scoring drought by hitting a three-point shot from Martha Dembek. Tech's (11-18, 3-11 Frontier) lead jumped to eight after Callee Remsen made back-to-back scores. Westminster (23-2, 13-1 Frontier) climbed back to tie up the contest at 10 all. The Diggers and Griffins would hit a cold streak throughout the quarter as both teams combined to make just 16 field goals in the half. WC heated up in the final three minutes of the half and used a 10-4 run to take the 26-19 lead at intermission.

The Copper and Green scored the first five points in the second half pulling within one at 26-25. The Diggers' run was short-lived as the Griffins connected on four straight three pointers increasing their lead to 12. The Diggers made a late run but Westminster's clutch shooting prevented Tech from the comeback.

Dembek registered her 20^th double-figure game of the season with a team-high 13 points. The sophomore also added five rebounds and three assists. Remsen continued to perform well with a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds. Senior Mandy Machinal added nine points and five boards in her final game on Kelvin Sampson Court.

Amy Krommenhoek led the way for Westminster with a game-high 21 points.

Tech looks to win their first quarterfinals game since the 2010-11 season when they head to Helena to face the Saints next week.