BUTTE—Chris O'Neill and Lukas Vining combined for 40 points in Montana Tech's 74-67 loss to No. 23 Carroll College.

The Diggers used a strong surge in the final five minutes to erase a 22-point Carroll advantage down to six points. Montana Tech outscored the Saints 41-31 in the second half.

Montana Tech was outpaced 43-26 at the half after the Saints shot 56 percent from the floor. Tech's defense improved in the second half limiting the Saints to just 45 percent shooting.

The Orediggers struggled to score at the free throw line Thursday night shooting just 52 percent. The Diggers were outrebounded 30-to-27 in the contest.

Chris O'Neill led the way for the Orediggers scoring 22 markers, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out two assists. Lukas Vining shot 8-for-15 from the floor and made a pair of triples on his way to 18 points.
Kale Guldseth added 10 points for the Diggers.

Carroll College was paced by Ryan Imhoff and Match Burnham who tallied 17 and 16 respectively.

The Orediggers fall to 6-11 overall and 0-6 in Frontier Conference play.