Oredigger Men down Dickenson State in Dillon

The Montana Tech Men's Basketball team took on the Dickenson State University Blue Hawks Friday afternoon in Dillon.  The following is from the Montana Tech Athletic Department:

DILLON, Mont.- There are always constants when the Orediggers play the Blue Hawks of Dickinson State. You always know it is going to be an intense contest, you always know it is going to be hard fought, and you can always bank on the fact that both teams will be well coached. All of those statements were true Friday night in Dillon, as the Orediggers made off with a 70-56 win over Dickenson, made possible by a strong second half.

For the first few minutes of the game, it didn't look like it would turn into a slugfest, as the Orediggers led 12-0 after the first four minutes. Once the Blue Hawks found their balance it didn't take long for them to get right back into the ball game. We were tied up 21-all with 6:38 left in the first half, and Dickinson would grab their first lead (25-23) when Kose Egbule knocked down a jumper with 4:44 on the clock.

Dickinson would enter the break leading 31-29. The Blue Hawks shot 29% from the field in the first 20 minutes, the Diggs were at 36%. Dickinson was 4-12 from the arc, and Montana Tech only 1-6. An anomaly on the score sheet showed Dickinson with 3 turnovers, and Montana Tech with 4.

The heat got turned up in the second half as the Orediggers would shoot 50% from the floor and then held Dickinson to 29%. Another big difference from the first to the second half was rebounding. In the first half the teams each had 18 rebounds, in the second half, the Diggs out-rebounded the Hawks 22-13.

Both teams only had five turnovers in the ballgame, meaning Dickinson only had two in the second half, and Montana Tech with one. Again, outstanding coaching.

The Orediggers finished with three players in double digits. They were led by Ifeanyi Okeke with 16 points on 7-8 shooting, he also pulled down five rebounds and had one blocked shot. Michael Ure was 3-8 from the floor, and impressive 9-11 from the free throw line in scoring 15 points, he added 11 rebounds as well. Crishon Dixon also broke into double digits with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Dickinson had two players tally 13 points each, Kose Egbul, and Gus Wright. John Evans scored 10 as well for the Blue Hawks.

Montana Tech is back in action tomorrow in Dillon against the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 am.