Men's Basketball | 12/14/2023 10:37:00 AM

BUTTE, Mont.- The seventh-ranked Orediggers of Montana Tech embark on a challenging west coast swing, as they play three games in five days.

The first stop for the Diggs will be Costa Mesa, California, for a battle with Vanguard University.  The Lions are off to a good start in the season, sitting 6-2 overall and receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll.

Vanguard is averaging 92 points a game, and have four players averaging double figures. They are led by Phillip Willis at 15 points per game, Anthony Tello at 14, Jackson Larsen at 13, and Cam'Ron Wilson at 11.
The Lions shoot 49% from the floor, and currently 38% from the three-point line.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM local (8:30 PM MST) you can find the link to the stream HERE.

Next up for the Orediggers will be a stop in Garden Grove, California, and a date with the Elk of Stanton University.

Stop two will be in Garden Grove, California at Stanton University. Stanton is a non-profit college founded in 1996. This past year was the first year of athletics for the school, starting with basketball and soccer. To start the season the Elk of Stanton, are 0-9 and the game on Sunday against the Orediggers, will be their second home game of the season.

Stanton has two players averaging double digits, Peter Obodumu and Troy Green, both clocking in at 14 points per contest.

Tip-off in Garden Grove is scheduled for 3:00 PM local, 4:00 PM MST. Stanton does not stream their games.

The final stop of the California trip will be in Lancaster, for a Tuesday matchup against the Pioneers of Antelope Valley. In the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, the University of Antelope Valley is just outside the Top 25, but are receiving votes.

The Pioneers are 8-2 on the season and have won their last five games. Over the opening 10 games, Michael Hayes and Arik Nicholas are both averaging 18 ppg. Much like Vanguard, Antelope Valley is putting up some impressive numbers to start the year, averaging 87 points a game on 47% shooting.

Tip-off against the Pioneers is scheduled for 3:00 PM local, 4:00 PM MST, you can find the stream HERE.

The Orediggers will be back home on the 28^th and 29^th for their final two non-conference games of the year, against Lakeland College and Ambrose University. The Frontier Conference regular season starts on January 6^th with Rocky Mountain College visiting the HPER.