By: Rocky Sports Information

BUTTE, Mont. -- Offensive rebounds and hard-nosed defense led the Battlin' Bears to a 12-point victory over the Orediggers on Thursday evening. 

Morgan Baird scored eight points in the first quarter to help lead Rocky to an early lead. The Battlin' Bears finished the final five minutes of the first quarter on a 14-1 run. 

Ten offensive rebounds in the first half was a big impact piece through the first half, as Rocky limited Oredigger possessions. On the possessions Montana Tech had the ball, the Battlin' Bears held their opponent to just 19% shooting from the field as Rocky held a 28-16 lead at halftime. 

The Rocky women jumped out to a 12-2 run to open up the second half as the Battlin' Bears grabbed their largest lead at 22 points. 

Montana Tech got their first breath of life offensively in the fourth quarter, as Aubrie Rademacher led the Orediggers to a 9-0 run through the first five minutes of play to cut the Tech deficit to 10 points. The Battlin' Bears controlled possessions to close the game and secure a 12-point victory. 

Morgan Baird and Brenna Linse each tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds with five offensive rebounds each. Gracee Lekvold added five points, six rebounds, and four steals. It is the third time this season the Battlin' Bears have held their opponent to less than 40 points in a game and the second straight game they've done so against Montana Tech. 

The Orediggers were led by 10 points each from Aubrie Rademacher and Macy Mayer. Montana Tech was held to just 22.6% shooting from the field and 5.6% from three.