Bellach set to return as Orediggers face Concordia at home, Griz on the road

If anything, it's going to be an interesting couple of weeks for the Montana Tech men's basketball team.  Sure, we are just entering the final weeks of the nonconference schedule, but the next two games in particular are of unique importance.  The #7 Orediggers (6-1) will host Concordia University of Edmonton at 5pm this Friday, December 1, and then hit the road for a game the following Friday against the University of Montana Grizzlies.

The Concordia Thunder come into Friday's 5pm contest with a 6-7 overall record and have dropped their last 4.  But what Oredigger fans are excited about is the return of preseason Frontier MVP Caleb Bellach who is expected to make his return after suffering a torn ACL in the first round of last year's NAIA national tournament.  But what Bellach is returning to is truly unexpected.  After losing their star player, the Orediggers went on a tear, advancing to the national quarterfinals, further than any team in program history.  This season, the Orediggers have jumped out to a 6-1 mark early and return the bulk of last year's squad including Asa Williams, Hayden Diekhans, Michael Ure, Keeley Bake and Crishon Dixon.  The addition of forward Ifeyani Okeke has given the Diggers even more flexibilty, firepower and rebounding.  The men play as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the Oredigger women taking on Concordia at 3pm.

One week from Friday on December 8, the Orediggers wlll travel east on I-15 to Missoula where they will meet the Montana Grizzlies of the Big Sky Conference.  What makes this game interesting is that the last time these teams met, on November 18, 2019, the Orediggers dumped the Griz 74-72 in a game that, while a turning point of sorts for the visitors, had to sting for the homestanding Grizzlies.  Tickets for the rematch are available at griztix.com and a strong Oredigger presence is expected as a bus trip has been scheduled.