DILLON, Mont. -- The No. 9-ranked Montana Tech men's basketball team began the 2024-25 season with a resounding 96-59 victory over Walla Walla at the Montana Western Classic Friday afternoon.

Five Orediggers found their ways into double-figure scoring on the day, highlighted by senior Michael Ure's double-double. Ure finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Tech. Camdyn LaRance added 14 points, Hayden Diekhans chipped in 13, and Keeley Bake and Josh Coulanges added 10 apiece for the Diggers.

Montana Tech (1-0) shot a scalding 10-for-22 from behind the 3-point line in the blowout, including three 3s each for Ure and Bake.

The Orediggers won the opening tip and quickly took the lead on a Diekhans dunk, and Tech extended its lead to 11-4 just under 5 minutes in following a Bake free throw. After the Wolves battled back to tie the score at 14-all, Tech began to extend its lead. Coulanges' layup with 4:49 to play in the first gave the Diggers their first double-digit lead of the game at 41-30, and Tech closed the half on a 14-0 run to take control of the game.

The Orediggers led 55-35 at the break.

After the teams traded baskets early in the second half, a Bake 3-pointer made it 63-40 in the Orediggers' favor. Tech never looked back. Ure totaled seven points and four rebounds in the second half to lead the way, and Bake and Rhett Reynolds both added six second-half points to help preserve the lead.

Lane Love and Karson Peffer each pulled down six rebounds for Montana Tech, and LaRance dished out a team-best six assists in the win.

Montana Tech will continue play in the Montana Western Classic Saturday at 5 p.m. against Evergreen State.

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