Montana Tech Downs Northwest U.
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Montana Tech jumped out to an early lead and never trailed as they cruised to a 65-46 non-conference win over Northwest University tonight in Kirkland.
The Orediggers jumped out to a 12-8 lead on Northwest in the first six minutes of the game. Erika Hornyak drop in a jumper to make the score 12-10, but Tech would go on an 8-2 run to lead 20-12 on Brittanie Toone’s 3-pointer at the 10:47 mark. NU’s McKenzie McKean would cut Tech’s lead to 7, 26-19 with her jumper from the corner with 7:12 left in the half and Kailee Oliver would grab a rebound and score a layup at the other end to bring NU to within 5 points, 26-21 with 5:50 remaining until the break. Taesha Higbee’s two free throws with 2:36 to go would put the Orediggers up 30-23, but an Oliver 2-poiniter would bring Northwest back to within 5, 32-27 with 1:12 to go in the half. MT’s Tabitha Tomlinson would hit a jumper to give Tech a 34-27 lead as the half came to an end.
Jessalyn Jackson would open the second half with her jumper and cut Tech’s lead to 34-29, but that would be the closest the Eagles would get as Montana Tech would begin to slowly pull away. Taesha Higbee’s trey would give the Techsters a 43-32 lead at the 14:02 mark as they would maintain that 11 point cushion until Brooke Pokorny would hit her jumper to increase the Tech lead to 13 at 51-38. Montana Tech’s largest lead would come with 1:30 left on the lock as they would increase their lead to 22 points, 64-42. Two free throws by Northwest’s Emily Drivstuen would end the scoring as Montana Tech would register their 8th win of the season.
Sophomore Jessalyn Jackson led Northwest U. (4-6, 1-1 CCC) with 12 points and freshman guard, Kailee Oliver added 10 points and 8 rebounds for the Eagles. NU had a cold shooting night as they made 27% of their 2-point field goals and 10% of their 3-point attempts. NU did shoot 72% from the free throw line.
Montana Tech (8-2) was led by teammates Lindsie Wilson and Taesha Higbee who both scored 13 for the Orediggers. Higbee led Tech rebounders with 9 and Jessie DePell added 7 boards. Tech shot 43% from 2-point range and 36% from beyond the 3-point arc.
Northwest U. will now take a break for final exams next week and resume conference play on December 21 when they travel to Eugene, Oregon to take on Northwest Christian University.