BUTTE, Mont. – Jalen Coates scored 29 points, but the Orediggers fell short as Montana Western wins 64-56.

Montana Tech (8-20, 3-13) can't stop Montana Western (18-10, 11-5) who is surging late in the season. The Bulldogs have won four straight and are just a game and a half out of first place in the Frontier.

The Orediggers struggled out of the gate and were down by as many as 17 in the first half, but pulled within striking distance 35-27 at halftime.

Coates pulled Tech within two points, 43-41, with 13:44 left in the second half. But that would be as close as the Orediggers would get the rest of the game.

Coates had 21 of his 29 points in the second half. He hit just 2 for 10 from beyond the arc as both teams struggled from three in the game. The Orediggers went 5 for 23 and Western was 4 for 14.

Sadiq Inuwa had a team high nine rebounds and three blocks.

Dexter William Jr. turned in a double-double for the Bulldogs netting 21 and pulling down 10 rebounds. He also had four steals, three assists and two blocks.

Connor Woodill had 14 points and four rebounds.

Montana Tech is on the road for their final two games next weekend. The Diggers are in Great Falls next Friday against the Argos.