GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The No. 10 Montana Tech Orediggers move on to the Frontier Conference Championship for the second year in a row holding on against surging Rocky Mountain 74-73. 

The Battlin' Bears (15-14) defeated Carroll College 82-58 last night and were not ready to end the season. The Bears and Orediggers had three ties and seven lead changes in the final ten minutes of the game. 

The score was tied with two minutes to play at 70. Chrishon Dixon hit a layup with 1:41 to play putting the Orediggers up 72-70. 

Rocky's Cade Tyson missed jumper with the shot clock running out on the next possession. Caleb Bellach hit a fadeaway at the other end with 34 seconds left on the clock putting the Orediggers up 74-70. 

The Bears quickly moved the ball down court and Jesse Owens hit a three-pointer putting the Bears down 74-73 with 23 second to play. 

Michael Ure was fouled by Rocky on the next possession. Ure missed the free throw and as the loose ball was going out of bounds, Asa Williams was able to get to the ball in time and the ball went off Rocky giving the Orediggers the ball back. The play was confirmed after review by the officials. 

Keeley Bake was fouled and hit the second of two free throws putting Tech up 75-73. 

Emani Scott was fouled after grabbing a rebound and hit both of his free throws putting Tech up 77-73. 

Not giving up, Beau Santisteven hit a three-pointer with a couple seconds on the clock, but th Bears were out of time. 

Rocky used a 9-4 run early in the first half taking an early 17-9 in the opening five minutes of the game. 

The Orediggers came charging right back with a 18-4 run over the next 10 minutes of the half. The run was highlighted by three-pointers from Keeley Bake, Michale Ure, and Hayden Diekhans. 

Bake had eight points in the first half and finished with 15 on the night. Bake went 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and 5 for 8 in the game. 

Tech finished the first half leading 38-31. The Orediggers shot 38.1% from the field and finished hitting 6 of 12 from beyond the arc. Tech finished the game shooting 44.3% and making 11 of 20 three point attempts. 

Tech had the advantage on the boards outrebounding Rocky 33-27. 

Williams led the Orediggers with 17 points going 4 for 6 from long and 5 of 11 from the field.

Diekhans led the Orediggers on the boards with five. 

Camdyn LaRance had nine points off the bench. Dixon finished with eight. 

The Bears shot 50% in the game and hit 9 of 20 from deep. 

Owens led all scorers with 25 points going 6 for 7 from three-point range and 10 of 17 from the field. Owens finished with four rebounds and four assists. 

Santisteven had 14 points and six rebounds. Nick Hart had 14 points and four rebounds. 

Montana Tech plays in the Frontier Championship tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.