Oredigger Basketball returns for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend

If you've been among the thousand or so who regularly attend Montana Tech basketball games, you're familiar with the fun and excitement.  Both teams are ranked in the NAIA's Top 25 and both are playing incredibly well.  Heading into a new year with a high ranking is nothing new to the men's team who are the four-time defending Frontier Conference Champions, although they are 12-3 overall and on a 5 game winning streak, currently holding down the #19 spot in the nation.  One of those last 5 wins was a dismantling of the defending Big Sky Conference Champion Montana Grizzlies.  On their own court.  So, the men are right where they want to be.  What's raising eyebrows, though, is the play of Coach Jeff Graham's women's team.

The Oredigger women are ranked #14 in the nation and are 12-1 overall.  They are on a 7 game winning streak and are getting consistent and exciting play from a variety of different players.  Butte-bred Brooke Badovinac is a sharpshooter and a playmaker.  Dillon's Kylie Konen has no fear off the bench and can score and rebound.  Halle Haber, already a champion with Billings West is ferocious inside and the duo of Hadley Humphries and Hallie Neibauer can hurt you from anywhere.  Liv Wangerin will simply do whatever is needed.  There are more playmakers as well, as Coach Graham's system, proven with multiple banners at Belt High School, is intense and relentless defensively which often leads to easy offense.

The Orediggers will host a pair of Frontier Conference doubleheaders this weekend with the University of Providence coming to town on Friday and MSU-Northern on Saturday.  The women's game tips off at 5pm with the men to follow at 7pm both evenings at Valley Bank Arena in the Montana Tech HPER Complex.