MAYVILLE, N.D. -- Hayden Diekhans' double-double led the No. 6-ranked Montana Tech men's basketball team to a conference-opening victory, 75-63, Friday evening at Mayville State. 

Diekhans, the reigning Frontier Conference player of the year and defensive player of the year, totaled 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Orediggers' victory. Karson Peffer added 19 points for Montana Tech (7-0, 1-0 Frontier). 

The Orediggers got out of the gates hot, starting the game with an 18-5 run. Eleven of those 18 points came from Diekhans, who made his first seven field goals. 

The Comets (5-2, 1-1), however, found some fight. Mayville State cut the lead to as little as five late in the first half, and Tech led 39-31 at the halftime break. Diekhans had 17 of his 27 points before halftime. 

MSU came out of the locker room with a 7-0 run that trimmed the lead to one before Tech warmed back up. A pair of Peffer 3-pointers spurred a 12-0 Oredigger run to give the defending conference champions some breathing room. 

The teams traded baskets for a handful of minutes before Tech again gained some separation; Josh Coulanges' step-back jumper from the baseline with 6:35 to go gave the Orediggers a double-digit lead they kept the rest of the game. 

Montana Tech will return to the hardwood in the Peace Garden State with Saturday's conference matchup at Valley City State. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain, 7 Central. 

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