Warriors outlast Tech

By Pat Ryan - 01/20/2008

For 35 minutes Montana Tech played an inspired basketball game.

Sadly for the Orediggers, the last five minutes of the 40-minute contest didn’t go as well, and the Lewis-Clark State men’s team walked away with a 61-51 Frontier Conference victory Saturday at the HPER Complex to remain undefeated (5-0) in league play.

“The guys came out and played hard,” said Montana Tech head coach Nate Larson. “They really bounced back after last night,” when the Orediggers (1-4 5-14) suffered a 66-55 loss to Westminster.

The difference between Friday’s 11-point loss and Saturday’s 10-point loss was simple: Tech was in the game with the Warriors. The ’Diggers held a 49-46 lead with five minutes left in the game but were outscored 15-2 down the stretch.

“We missed so many open looks, and then we turned the ball over,” Larson said. “We proved we can compete with anybody, but we’ve got to get over the hump.”

See OUTLAST, Page B5

The Orediggers made an early statement with their defense, and connected with some shots to claim a 10-3 edge six minutes into the game. Tech’s players were constantly harassing the Warriors, holding the visitors in check in their offensive zone. Tech gained another seven-point lead late in the first half, but had to settle for a one-point edge at intermission.

L-C State scored the first seven points out of the locker room, but the Orediggers didn’t fade away. Dusan Veselinovic scored five of his team-high 12 points with back-to-back baskets midway through the second half to lift the Orediggers back on top, 41-39.

“If we can defend like we did tonight and make some shots, that’s a winning formula for us,” Larson said.

One area Tech’s defense neglected, however, was the Warrior baseline, where Mike Gordy scored the majority of his game-high 22 points. The 6-foot-5 senior forward made nine shots from the paint and hit all four of his free throws to help ice the win.

One key difference between the teams was at the stripe. L-C State connected on 14-of-16 attempts, but Tech had only three shots and made just one.

Brian Duckworth scored 13 for L-C State, while Rob Comer added 11.

Senior post Casey Briggs attempted the second 3-point shot of his college career Saturday, but his hand was forced. Briggs was on the receiving end of a pass in the corner of the court when the shot clock was about to expire and had to toss up a prayer. It wasn’t answered.

Jake Williams was the only Oredigger held scoreless, but he more than made up for the lack of point production in other statistical categories. Williams led all players with a dozen rebounds, and also had four nice assists. The Orediggers out-rebounded the Warriors 37-26 as a team.

Tony Trudnowski hit for double digits and also snagged five rebounds in another strong game, while freshman post Dirk Anderson looked good on both ends of the court.

The Orediggers are on the road next Friday to Havre, where they will take on MSU-Northern at 8 p.m.

LEWIS-CLARK STATE (5-0 14-5)

Jon Daly 2-3 0-0 4, Mike Gordy 9-17 4-4 22, Brian Duckworth 3-7 5-6 13, Rob Comer 4-11 0-1 11, J.R. Gordon 1-5 1-1 3, Karl Stedman 1-2 2-2 4, Caleb Orr 0-0 0-0 0, Kasey Riley 1-4 2-2 4, Andrew Packwood 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-51 14-16 61.

MONTANA TECH (1-4 5-14)

Casey Briggs 2-3 0-0 4, Dirk Anderson 3-4 1-3 7, Jeramie Hopson 3-9 0-0 6, Stephen Thomas 2-5 0-0 4, Tony Trudnowski 4-10 0-0 10, Shea Bradshaw 2-3 0-0 6, Dusan Veselinovic 5-15 0-0 12, Collin Fehr 1-2 0-0 2, Jake Williams 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-52 1-3 51.

Halftime score n MT 24, LCS 23. 3-point goals n LCS 5-19 (Gordy 0-1, Duckworth 2-5, Comer 3-10, Gordon 0-2, Stedman 0-1), MT 6-24 (Briggs 0-1, Hopson 0-3, Thomas 0-3, Trudnowski 2-7, Bradshaw 2-3, Veselinovic 2-7). Rebounds — LCS 26 (Gordy 6, Daly 5), MT 37 (Williams 12, Hopson 5, Trudnowski 5). Fouls — LCS 10, MT 17. Fouled out — none. Assists — LCS 14 (Comer 5, Gordon 5), MT 14 (Williams 4, Fehr 3, Thomas 3). Turnovers — LCS 20, MT 28. Blocks — LCS 0, MT 2 (Williams 1, Veselinovic 1). Steals — LCS 8, MT 7.