BUTTE, Mont.—The Montana Western Bulldogs (7-1, 1-0) jumped on the Orediggers of Montana Tech (6-5, 0-1) early in their first meeting this season to secure a Frontier Conference win, 83-65.
The Bulldogs' defense forced back-to-back turnovers from Montana Tech in the first two plays of the game. Their defense continued to pressure the Orediggers, resulting in many disrupted plays and 18 total turnovers.
Montana Western shot 62 percent from the field and 49 percent from the arc in the first half. The Orediggers were 43 percent from the field for the first half of the game but shot just 22 percent from the 3-point line. The Bulldogs led the Orediggers by 18 at the half, 49-31.
The Bulldogs outscored the Orediggers in the third, 22-11, but struggled to hold them in the fourth. Montana Tech scored 23 points in the final quarter—12 from the field, six from the arc, and nine from the foul line. The Orediggers increased their pressure in the back court, forcing seven of the Bulldogs' 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 12 points in the fourth.
"We played really well for 30 minutes, but got tentative against their press," head coach
Lindsay Woolley said. "I have to do a better job preparing them. I couldn't be happier that they were able to stem the tide and get enough stops to finish it off."
Inside the Box Score
- The Bulldogs only had five offensive rebounds; Montana Tech had eight.
- Brynley Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs with a double-double, with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
- Jenni Weber and Shainy Mack each added 13 points for the Bulldogs.
- Sydney Sheridan tallied seven assists for the Bulldogs.
- Tavia Rooney led the Orediggers with a double-double—15 points and 10 rebounds—and five steals.
The Bulldogs play against No. 5 Carroll College in Dillon on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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