CHANDLER, Ariz.- The Warriors of Jessop University outlast the Orediggers 48-40 in Arizona.

Montana Tech, coming off a 59-57 win over Embry-Riddle yesterday, was back on the court for their second game at the Cactus Classic on Thursday, this time against the (10-1) Jessop University Warriors.

Yesterday saw the Orediggers fall behind 9-1 early in the game, today was a much different story out of the gate as Montana Tech exploded to an 8-0 lead in the opening four minutes of the game. Junior Soda Rice got rolling early, going 2 of 3 from the floor for four points, and a steal in that opening frame. After the horn to end the first quarter, Montana Tech led 13-7. The Orediggers shot 30% opposed to the Warrior's 15% in the first 10 minutes.

Jessop got things going offensively in the second quarter, shooting 40% from the floor (on only 10 shots) Montana Tech's shooting dropped to 25% in the second quarter, going 4-16. At the half, the Orediggers led 23-20.

The Orediggers had plenty of scoring opportunities as the second half progressed, but points were hard to come by.  The Warriors outscored Tech 13-10 in the third and tied the ballgame up 36-all as the third quarter came to a close. Jessop shot 46% in that third quarter, as opposed to 25% for the Orediggers.

Unfortunately, Montana Tech's shooting would go even colder over the final quarter.

The Oredigger's intense defense, and incredibly high 'motor' gave them plenty of opportunities, but they were unable to get much of anything to fall through the bottom of the net as they were held to two baskets in the final frame.

It was another game that Montana Tech outrebounded their opponent, coming away with 43 total rebounds (20 offensive) as opposed to 36 for the Warriors. Amazingly, the Orediggers were able to get six second-chance points off of those 20 offensive rebounds.

Individually, Tech was led by Brooklyn Hankwitz who put up 10 points on 3-11 shooting from the floor, she also 2-8 from the 3-point line. In addition to her 10 points, she pulled down 6 total rebounds.
Live Wangerin went 4-10 from the floor to finish with nine points, she also tallied 5 rebounds. Aubrey Rademacher and Soda Rice each put up seven points.

Jessop had two players each finish with 10 points, Makaila Napoleon and Maddy Meadows.

Montana Tech (8-3) in back in action on Friday against perennial power The Master's University (11-1) at 6:00 PM. You can get the link to view the stream HERE.