CHANDLER, Arizona- Montana Tech overcame the slowest of starts to defeat Benedictine Mesa on Thursday afternoon in Arizona, 78-75. 

The Orediggers (11-4, 2-0) trailed the Redhawks 9-0 in the first three minutes of action and went into the half behind down eight points, 35-27. 

In the second half, Montana Tech rallied back over the final eight minutes of action from a 64-52 deficit thanks to a five point Sindou Diallo run cut the lead to seven with six minutes left to play. 

The Diggers traded baskets with the Redhawks before cutting it to a one possession deficit on a three pointer by Caleb Bellach with 3:17 left to play. Bellach and Diallo scored the Diggers last nine points to put the team ahead 76-75.

Diallo led the Diggers with 25 points, Caleb Bellach added 19 points, and Keeley Bake scored 17 points. 

Maurice Walton scored 27 points to lead the Redhawks while Jay Small added 14 points. 

The Diggers shot 39.4 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from three in the victory. 

Montana Tech hosts Olds College (Canada) on Wednesday December 29 at 4 p.m.