BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Tech men's basketball opened the 2020-21 Frontier Conference schedule with a statement win defeating rival (RV) Carroll College 82-62 on Kelvin Sampson Court.

The Orediggers (1-2, Frontier 1-0) shot a blistering 64.3 percent from the floor in the second half and hit key three pointers going 5 for 8 from long. Tech finished shooting 56.4 percent in the game and 7 of 16 from three point range.

The battle of the boards went to the Orediggers 36-23.

The Saints (2-2, Frontier 0-1) led by nine halfway through the first half, but the Orediggers used a 13-3 run to take a 23-20 lead with 3:24 left before halftime. Tech outscored Carroll 22-7 to finish the half and took a 32-27 lead into the locker room at the break.

The Orediggers never looked back in the second half holding a firm lead the rest of the game.

Taylor England led the charge with 20 points while shooting 6 for 10 and 8 of 11 from the free throw line. The Helena native completed the double-double with 15 rebounds.

Sindou Diallo hit 8 of 14 from the field and 2 for 3 from long to finish with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Markieth Brown Jr. hit 3 of 6 from beyond the arc finishing with 15 points and 3 assists.

Redshirt freshman Bridger Larson had 8 points off the bench in the second half and added 4 rebounds.

The saints shot 42.3 percent from the field in the game and hit just 7 of 24 from long.

Shamrock Campbell led the Saints with 24 points shooting 8 for 10 from the field including 4 of 6 from three point range. Brendan Temple had 16 points.

Montana Tech is off for the holiday break returning to action against Montana Western on December 30^th.