OLYMPIA, Wash. – After putting up just 13 points in the first half, the Evergreen Geoducks battled back but couldn’t quite catch the Montana Tech Orediggers, falling 63-55 in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Saturday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
Neither team could manage to find their shot early as it took nearly three minutes for the first basket to fall before Montana Tech (4-5) got on the scoreboard first following a jumper in the paint by Brianne McClafferty. The Geoducks (2-7) answered back with four straight but the ‘Diggers would go on a 12-0 run to push the lead into double-digits.
Montana Tech continued to push ahead, using a full-court pressure to force 15 Evergreen turnovers in the first-half alone. The lead hit 20 for Montana Tech with 1:09 left to go in the first half but the Geoducks were able to slightly close the gap, training 29-13 at halftime.
In the second half, the ‘Diggers held on to the big lead early but 15-5 run got the differential back into single digits for the Geoducks. Evergreen continued to fight, getting as close as five points following a pair of free throws be senior Jessica Edge (Lake Stevens, Wash./Skagit Valley CC). Montana Tech eventually regained their focus and pushed the lead back into double-digits for most of the remaining minutes as they collected the 63-55 win.
Evergreen was led by 20 points and 12 rebounds from Edge, who also added six rebounds in the losing effort. Sami Clark (Monroe, Wash./Edmonds CC) added 15 points to go with three steals. The Geoducks held a 35-31 advantage in rebounds, holding the ‘Diggers to just 10 boards in the second half.
Montana Tech was led by 19 points from Mandy Machinal. Dennielle Devenny added 17 points for the ‘Diggers in the win. The Orediggers shot 42.0% from the field for the game, including 45.0% in the second half alone.
The Geoducks will be back in action next Saturday when they play host to Pacific Lutheran in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off with the Lutes is set for 5:30 pm at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
