Brandon Stinson

Box Score

Rocky Mountain ROCKY MO 15-14, 6-9

Montana Tech MONTANA 25-4, 12-3

Rocky Mountain ROCKY MO

15-14, 6-9

Final

Feb. 27, 2023

Montana Tech MONTANA

25-4, 12-3

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Rocky Mountain ROCKY MO	31	45	76
Montana Tech MONTANA	38	39	77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/27/2023 9:52:00 PM | Brandon Stinson | Sports Information & Media Coordinator

Rocky Men’s Basketball Falls in a Slugfest Against Top-Ranked Montana Tech 77-76

GREAT FALLS, Mont.- The Battlin' Bears cut the Tech lead to one point with only 23 seconds remaining, but fell just short against No. 10-ranked Montana Tech in the Frontier Conference Semifinals Monday evening.

The Battlin' Bears came out hot against the number one-seeded Orediggers, as a layup by Jesse Owens gave the Battlin' Bears a 17-9 lead with 14:16 remaining in the half. Tech's Chrishon Dixon beat the buzzer with a layup to give the Orediggers a 38-31 lead going into the halftime break.

Jesse Owens opened up the half with a three pointer, then Tech's Asa Williams responded right back with a three of his own. The Battlin' Bears then rattled off a 10-4 run to bring things back to a one point game. The Rocky men exchanged blows with one of the nation's best teams, as Tech never separated with a lead larger than six points. At the six minute mark, Kael Robinson drew a foul and hit both his free throws to give Rocky a 65-64 lead.

With 1:41 remaining, Tech's Chrishon Dixon got a tough left handed layup to fall to give the Orediggers the lead back. Tech's Calleb Bellach struggled from the floor throughout the game, but beat the shot clock with 34 seconds remaining to extend the Orediggers lead to four. Jesse Owens immediately came down the court to sink his fifth three of the game to bring the game within reach at 74-73. Montana Tech efficiently knocked down their free throws to bring their lead back up to four after a missed shot by Rocky. Beau Santistevan banked a half court heave with two seconds remaining, but Tech was able to get the inbounds pass in and evade a foul to secure a victory.

"I couldn't ask for anything more from this group of guys." Coach Bill Dreikosen said. "I am thankful to have been blessed to coach a special group like this. They left everything out on the court tonight. I am a better person because of this team."

The Battlin' Bears were led by a career high 25 points, five three pointers, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals by Jesse Owens, 14 points and four rebounds from Nick Hart, and 14 points and six rebounds from Beau Santistevan. Kael Robinson also scored 11 points and dished three assists.

The Orediggers were led by 17 points and four rebounds from Asa Williams, while Keeley Bake scored 15 points off the bench.

The Battlin' Bears ended their season 15-14 and won their first Frontier Conference Tournament game since 2017-18.

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