DILLON, Mont.- The Montana Tech Orediggers defeated Eastern Oregon University 70-61 in the first game of the Montana Western Classic on Friday afternoon.
The Orediggers (3-0) controlled the contest against the Mountaineers shooting the ball with confidence. Led by Junior Asa Williams, who scored a game-high 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the floor and a 2-for-4 effort from behind the arc, the Diggers led 34-32 at the half.
Montana Tech's offense was highlighted by three players in double figures and eight players in the box score. Along with Williams in double figures, freshman Hayden Diekhans scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebound while Michael Ure chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
The Diggers held the Mountaineers to just 33.8 percent shooting from the floor and 17.4 percent from downtown in the contest. Montana Tech forced the Mountaineers into 11 turnovers. EOU was led in scoring by Solomon Mcginnis who tallied 17 in the loss.
For the Diggers, Caleb Bellach scored seven, Crishon Dixon scored six before fouling out,
Keeley Bake added five,
Bridger Larson scored three, and
Camdyn LaRance scored two.
Montana Tech finished the game shooting 41.1 percent and was 6-of-15 from three. The Diggers were 18-for-25 from the foul line in the victory.
Montana Tech has a quick turnaround for their second game of the Montana Western Classic playing Dickinson State at 3 P.M. on Saturday afternoon at Straugh Gymnasium.
