BUTTE, Mont. – The Orediggers kept pace with one of the top teams in the country, but couldn't hold on through four quarters falling to No. 2 Lewis-Clark State 76-57.

Trailing 37-33 at the midpoint of the game, Montana Tech started to slowly unravel while LC State continued to roll. The Orediggers shot just 30.8 percent from the field in the second half to the Warriors 42.4 clip. LC State outscored Tech 39-24 down the stretch.

The Orediggers committed 15 turnovers in the game.

Senior point guard Hattie Thatcher recorded eight assists on the night and became the all-time assists leader for Montana Tech. Thatcher broke the mark set by
Sherry Sparks 25 years ago with her first assist in the second half. Thatcher now has 472 career assists.

Martha Dembek led the Orediggers with a double-double netting 16 and grabbing 11 boards. The senior guard hit 6 of 12 in the game and 4 for 7 from beyond the arc.

Senior center Rachel Farris shot 6 of 11 for 12 points.

Caelyn Orlandi led the Warriors with 17 points and Brooke Litalien dropped in 16 more.

Montana Tech falls to 5-8 in Frontier Conference action while Lewis-Clark State keeps ahold of the top spot.

Montana Tech hosts the University of Great Falls next Thursday.