DILLON, Mont. – The Fire shot themselves into contention but they couldn't quite make the full comeback, falling to Montana Tech, 68-59.
Trailing by 17 points after three quarters, SEU (4-1) got hot from long range as they made four triples in the first 4:17 of the fourth and cut the margin down to 10 points, 57-47. The Fire kept their surge going behind three straight Grace Field layups to pull within 59-53 with 3:25 to play. The Orediggers (3-1), answered with a 6-0 run and held on for the win.
Montana Tech held a large advantage on the glass (52-25), but SEU committed only 13 turnovers compared to the home team's 24. SEU downed five of its nine 3-pointers in the game during the fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Jodi Mullins led the three Fire double-digit scorers with 13 points and three rebounds. Mya Herman drained a trio of treys as part of her 12 points to go with four assists and two rebounds. Field connected on five of her six shots for 11 points, and had a team-high seven rebounds and a blocked shot.
Anaya Coleman, Alley Haas and Courtni Demorest each contributed six points. Coleman handed out six assists while Haas and Demorest dropped two triples. Rose Sorribes made both her shot attempts for five points.
Aubrie Rademacher and Hadley Humphreys both totaled 15 points for the Orediggers.
The Fire return to action tomorrow night, when they face host Montana Western. Tip off is at 8 p.m. EST.
