BOZEMAN, Mont. – In an exhibition game at Montana State, Montana Tech kept the game close in the first half before falling 86-64.

Tech came back from a 23-11 first quarter deficit to pull within just two points at the end of the half 36-34. The Bobcats scored 27 in the third quarter to put the Diggers away going 10 of 18 from the field and 4 for 5 from beyond the arc. Tech could not catch last year's Big Sky champs in the final frame.

Sammy McGree led the Diggers with 19 points hitting 7 of 13 in the game and 2 of 3 from long.

Kourtney Coverdell had 15 points.

Shay Potter led the Orediggers on the boards with 8 rebounds and 7 points.

While the Diggers shot just 35.4 percent in the game, they were 12 of 13 from the free throw line.   

Delany Junkermier had 20 points and 3 steals for the Bobcats.

Blaire Braxton had 10 of the 43 rebounds for MSU and finished with a double-double with 14 points.

Tori Martell had 15 points and 6 rebounds.

Montana Tech hosts two games this weekend for the inaugural Montana Tech Tip Off Classic.