SURPRISE, Ariz. – Montana Tech men's basketball dropped their first of two games in Arizona after Ottawa (Ariz.) used a second half run to go ahead for a 78-74 victory.

The Orediggers (10-4, 2-0) led by as many as eight in the first half but the Spirit shrunk the lead to 40-37 at halftime.

The Spirit tied the game at 58 with 9:43 to go in the game and then went on a 14-5 taking a seven-point lead with 5:19 to go 70-63.

Sindou Diallo hit a pair of free throws and turned a steal and dunk into another score in the final minutes but the Orediggers ran out of time in the end.

Diallo scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half. Diallo shot 41.2% from the field and had five rebounds and four assists.

The Orediggers finished shooting 44.1% from the field but hit just one three in the second half going 9 of 23 from beyond the arc in the game.

Taylor England had a double-double finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Drew Huse had nine and Caleb Bellach netted eight.

The Spirit shot 50% from the field and led at the boards 40-30.

Keshawn Bruner led Ottawa with 22 points and seven rebounds.

Josiah De'laCerda and Devin Collins chipped in 15 each.

Montana Tech is at Benedictine University tomorrow at noon.