BUTTE, Mont. – Sindou Diallo hit a layup with three seconds left on the clock for the go-ahead points as Montana Tech downs Montana Western 70-68.

The Orediggers advance to the Frontier Conference Championship for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

Tech rallied after trailing 33-25 at halftime. The Orediggers went on a 12-0 run to go ahead of the Bulldogs with 11:11 in the game. Tech was up by nine with under five minutes to play, but Western clawed their way back into the game.

Jamal Stephenson hit six free throws and a layup in the final two minutes to tie the game at 68.

Diallo did the rest finishing with 24 points.

Hodges finished with 22 points and eight rebounds.

The Orediggers shot 59.4% from the field in the second half finishing with 40.9% for the game.

Taylor England had 18 points and eight rebounds including a late three-pointer.

Drew Huse had 11 points and five rebounds.

Montana Tech travels to Helena to face Carroll College on Monday. Game time is 7 p.m. at the PE Center.