BUTTE, Mont.– The Montana Tech Orediggers defeated the Battlin' Bears 75-67 Saturday night.
A close first half for the Battlin' Bears (11-5, 2-2 FC) was negated by an 18-4 Oredigger run early in the second half. From there on out, Rocky struggled to keep up with a Montana Tech team that found rhythm from beyond the arc. The Orediggers (12-4,2-2 FC) drained 55.6 percent on three pointers.
Rocky shot 41.3 percent from the floor and landed 30 percent of their three point shots.
The Battlin' Bears were led by
Jared Samuelson who scored 23 points with four rebounds. This marks the third game in a row that Samuelson has scored 20 or more points.
Austin Payne provided an additional 10 points and five rebounds.
Lukas Vining contributed seven points and six rebounds.
Montana Tech was led by Troy Owens Jr. who drained five out of seven three pointers on his way to 28 points.
The Battlin' Bears out-rebounded the Orediggers 42-16 and held a 9-7 advantage in steals.
Rocky will next play Montana Western in Dillon, Mont., on Jan. 10. The action will tip off at 7:30 p.m.
