BUTTE- Montana Tech lost a close one to MSU-Northern 71-63 Thursday night on Kelvin Sampson Court.

The Orediggers (8-6, 0-3) held a 33-29 halftime advantage over MSU-Northern after holding the Lights to 0-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. The Diggers shot 50 percent and held Northern to just nine field goals in the first half.

Trent Molesworth led the Diggers with 17 points while Jake Miles netted 12 and John Chapman scored 11. The Orediggers forced Northern into 17 turnovers.

Montana Tech heads to Great Falls on Saturday to play University of Providence in the McLaughlin Center at 7:30 p.m.