BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Western was hot and the Orediggers were not as the Bulldogs pulled away early and finishing with a 72-54 victory.

Montana Western (11-5, 1-3) picked up their first conference win of the season.

The Orediggers (5-10, 1-3) dropped their second straight game.

Montana Tech had trouble finding the basket going 5 for 27 in the first half and 0 for 8 from three. Western led 38-20 at the break as the Orediggers scored just four points in the second frame.  

Tech shot just 30.8 percent from the field on the night.

Making things worse for the Orediggers, Western shot 51.9 percent from the field on the night. The Bulldogs had 46 points in the paint and 11 on second chance.

Sierra Higheagle had a game high 17 points hitting 7 of 12 from the field and 3 for 5 from three.

Britt Cooper and Aniese Palmore chipped in 14 each for Western. They had eight and seven rebounds respectively.

Hattie Thatcher led the Diggers with 15 points and also had six boards and six assists.

Kourtney Coverdell had 13 points.

Montana Tech plays host again on Saturday when No. 22 Rocky Mountain comes to the Mining City.