BUTTE, Mont. – The debut of Head Coach Jeff Graham could not have been more exciting as the Montana Tech Orediggers downed Dickinson State 61-59 in overtime.

The Orediggers jumped out to a 36-23 lead at halftime. Tech shot 76.9% from the field in the second quarter putting up 24 points. The Orediggers hit 4 of 5 from beyond the arc in the second frame after missing their first three in the first quarter.

The Blue Hawks started their march back outscoring Tech 12-2 in the third quarter.

Dickinson Samantha Oase hit a layup with 1:40 to play in the fourth and tied the game at 51 when Oase made a free throw. Oase led the Blue Hawks with 23 points.

Soda Rice hit a jumper for the Orediggers with 43 seconds left putting Tech up 53-51. But the Blue Hawks answered back when McKenzie Johnson hit a jumper to tie with 16 seconds left.

Dani Urick missed on a three pointer in the final seconds and Coach Graham's first win would have to wait until after overtime.

The Orediggers wouldn't let go in overtime. Down 59-55 with 2:53 to go, Macy Mayer hit two free throws to close the gap. Aubrie Rademacher hit a layup to tie the game with 1:30 to go and finished off the Blue Hawks with another layup in the final seconds
to secure the victory. Rademacher led the Orediggers with 14 points going 7 of 11 from the field.

Urick had 12 points hitting 2 of 4 from beyond the arc. Mayer finished with a team-high nine rebounds and nine points.

Tavia Rooney had nine points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

The Montana Tech doesn't have another home game until the conference opener on December 1. The Orediggers are on road next week traveling to MSU Billings on Monday and on to Lewiston, Idaho the next weekend for the Lewis-Clark State Tournament.