GREAT FALLS, Mont.- Derrius Collins' rebound put back with 2.7 seconds left proved to be the big-time shot the Orediggers needed to get over the hump against ranked teams  as Montana Tech defeated No. 8 University of Providence 82-80 at the McLaughlin Center Friday night. 

After junior post Taylor England's attempt was off the mark after an offensive rebound, Collins came running down the lane to grab the loose ball and lay it in. The victory for the Diggers is their first of the season against a ranked team. 

"Tonight was a great team win. Providence had not lost on their home floor before  tonight, so we knew it would be a tremendous test," said coach Adam Hiatt. "UP is a great team, so we knew no matter how well we played it would come down to the last possession."

The Orediggers held a 10 point lead going into the intermission, 46-36, thanks to a phenomenal first half from Drew Huse who scored all 10 of his points in the opening stanza. Montana Tech finished the game shooting 52.5% from the field. 

"We made big plays and kept our composure in a very intense Frontier Conference game. It was a great team win."

Down the stretch with Montana Tech trailing 80-78, Connor Kieckbusch scored his lone field goal of the game on a mid-range jumper with under a minute to play to tie the score. Sindou Diallo led the Diggers 24 points, Troy Owens Jr. scored 14, Taylor England added 12 and 10 rebounds for his 8th double-double, and Drew Huse scored 10. Derrius Collins scored 8 points, Dylan Pannabecker added 8, Kieckbusch scored 4 points, and Christian Jones scored 2 points. 

Zaccheus Darko-Kelly led the Argos with 25 points. University of Providence shot 44.8% from the field and was 9-for-25 from three.  

Montana Tech improves to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in Frontier Conference play. 

The Orediggers travel to Havre to play MSU-Northern at 8 p.m. Saturday night.