BUTTE, Mont. -- The Montana Tech women's basketball returned to its winning ways Friday afternoon, topping St. Mary's (Alberta), 71-37, in non-conference action on Kelvin Sampson Court.

The Orediggers entertained a loud crowd of nearly 1,000 students from Butte School District No. 1 in the annual Elementary School Game in the victory.

Junior Hadley Humphreys led the way for Montana Tech (6-2) with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Liv Wangerin (11 points) and Brooke Badovinac (10 points) joined her in double figures.

Tech began the game with a narrow lead but extended it to double digits early with an 8-0 run. Wangerin's 3-pointer with 4:10 left in the opening quarter capped the run and put the Orediggers ahead, 13-3. The Diggers led 20-9 at the quarter break.

Strong shooting helped Montana Tech extend the lead before halftime. The Orediggers shot over 60 percent (8-for-13) from the field in the second period and carried a 40-22 lead into the half.

Badovinac led the way for the Diggers in the second half, scoring seven of her 10 points in the closing quarters. Tech's largest lead was 34 at the score's final standing.

Montana Tech, which received votes in the latest NAIA coaches' poll, will play host Jamestown, another squad receiving votes, Saturday at 1 p.m. The Orediggers are 2-0 this season against teams that are either ranked or receiving votes.

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