DILLON, Mont. – The Bushnell University women's basketball team fell to Montana Tech, 64-49, in Friday afternoon's non-conference women's basketball game at Straugh Gymnasium.
 
Head Coach Chad Meadors said, "I am coming out of this weekend very encouraged. Defensively, we are very good. Offensively we have some major strides to make but we are only going to get better as the year goes on. We were fatigued at the end, so we are learning how to utilize our players and control tempo. We've learned a ton and now we've got to start putting things together."
 
Bushnell (0-2) led 15-11 through the first quarter but Montana Tech (2-0) was in control for a majority of the contest after outscoring the Beacons 20-9 in the second period. The Beacons got within four, 41-37, with under four minutes to go in the third, but the Orediggers took a 10-point lead into the final frame. Bushnell did not get any closer than eight points in the closing quarter.
 
The Beacons were outrebounded 51-34, including a 17-10 deficit in offensive boards, resulting in a 16-3 advantage in second-chance points for the Orediggers. Bushnell finished 31% from the floor, shooting just 3-of-25 from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Beacons forced 20 turnovers.
 
Ayden Krupke led Bushnell with 12 points and four steals. Aspen Slifka finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Liv Tjoelker posted 11 points, five rebounds and four steals.
 
"Aspen had a double-double yesterday, Libby played more minutes than she's played in back-to-back games, and it's incredible to see how much she has improved," said Meadors. "Ayden is playing major minutes which is a huge step for her, and she is contributing."
 
Montana Tech shot 39.1% from the field, including 6-of-22 from three-point range. Liv Wangerin led all scorers with 20 points for the Orediggers.
 
Up next, Bushnell takes on Willamette University in Salem on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.