March 3, 2025

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - In a gripping Frontier Conference semis Monday, the No. 1 seeded Montana Tech Orediggers clinched a well-fought victory against the No. 5 seed Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears with a final score of 82-73. The game held at Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena, Montana Tech showcased their dominance early on as they leveraged their strong shooting abilities to build a substantial halftime lead, 48-26.

The Orediggers were led by Ifeanyi Okeke, who not only scored 16 points but also added six rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks to his remarkable game performance. Additional firepower came from Hayden Diekhans and Keeley Bake, contributing 14 and 12 points, respectively. Diekhans and Bake's efforts were pivotal, with Bake hitting crucial three-pointers early in the game to set the tone for Montana Tech.

Rocky Mountain, despite trailing significantly at the half, did not back down. The Battlin' Bears' Royce Robinson spearheaded a significant comeback effort in the second half, scoring a game-high 24 points. Jesse Owens also impressively contributed with 20 points, but the early deficit proved too much to surmount.

As the final buzzer sounded, Montana Tech's strategic execution and early lead established in the first half paid off, securing their spot in the upcoming finals. The Orediggers will face the winner of the other semifinal between Providence and Carroll. The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday (March 4), promising an exciting culmination of the Men's Conference Tournament at the Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena in Great Falls, Mont., at 7:30 p.m.