BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana Tech never gave up but the deficit was too much for the Orediggers as they fell to Rocky Mountain 59-55. 

The Orediggers (6-6, 0-2) come up short in their second Frontier Conference game of the season. Tech's next change at a conference win is not until early January.

Tech trailed by as many as 22 in the first half but were able to cut the Rocky lead to 32-18 at the half. The Orediggers were just 7 of 32 from the field in the first half. 

The Orediggers outscored the Bears in the second half cutting the deficit to 45-36 at the end of the third frame. 

The Orediggers were within seven points with 34 seconds to go but didn't have enough time. McKayla Kloker hit a three as time expired. 

Tech finished shooting just 29.2% from the field and were 5 for 15 from beyond the arc. 

Rocky shot 37.7% from the field and had 14 point off turnovers. 

Tavia Ronney led the Orediggers with 14 points and nine rebounds. 

Dani Urick had 11 points and four rebounds. 

Celestina Faletoi had eight points and nine boards.

Soda Rice came off the bench with nine points and five rebounds and Kloker finished with eight. 

Kloie Thatcher led Rocky with 18 points and N'Dea Flye had 16 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Orediggers head to North Dakota next weekend to play Dickinson State.