DILLON, Mont. -- Jourdan Joseph (Sr., G) scored 24 points for the Evergreen State College against #9-ranked Montana Tech in an NAIA men's basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 2. The Orediggers defeated the Geoducks 93-71 after leading by just four points at halftime.

Evergreen and Montana Tech met in the second round of the Western Classic, hosted by the University of Montana Western. Montana Tech improved to 2-0 on the season, while Evergreen fell to 0-2. In the other second round game on Saturday, Montana Western rolled past Walla Walla University 102-75.

Joseph was one of three Geoducks in double figures against the Orediggers. Bradley Graham (Jr., G) and Tyler No (So., G) each scored 11 points. Garret Long (Jr., G/W) added nine points for Evergreen. Joseph was 6 for 12 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range. He went 8 for 9 at the free throw line, provided TESC with three rebounds, and earned three assists. 

Solomon Campbell (Jr., F) grabbed seven rebounds for Evergreen, while Graham hauled down six boards. Graham also registered two steals.

Five Montana Tech players finished with double-digit scoring. Michael Ure led the Orediggers with 21 points. Camdyn Larance and Brayden Koch both tacked on 15 points. Hayden Diekhans scored 12 points and Ifeanyi Okeke provided four points. Diekhans latched on to eight rebounds and Okeke earned six rebounds. Keeley Bake topped all players with six assists. 

The first half was very competitive. Evergreen led 12-11 after a 3-pointer by Joseph. Montana Tech answered with a 3-pointer by Brayden Koch to open an 8-0 run to move in front 19-11. The Orediggers remained in front, but the Geoducks trailed by just two points three times, including 26-24 after a layup by Campbell at the 8:04 mark. A bit later, TESC pulled within 29-26 on two free throws by Joseph.

Montana Tech tacked on a 7-0 run for a 36-26 lead following two free throws by Ure with 4:22 left in the half. Later, the Orediggers held a 41-33 advantage with 3:39 on the clock, but Evergreen closed the half with an 8-4 run to reduce the margin to 45-41 at the intermission. Joseph scored the final points of the half on a 3-point shot with 55 seconds to go.

Evergreen moved within two points twice early in the second half, including 48-46 after another trifecta by Joseph with 17:43 to play. Montana Tech countered with a 12-0 run to claim a 60-46 lead with 15:49 remaining. Graham scored on a jumper for Evergreen to end the run, but the Geoducks never got closer during the rest of the game. The Orediggers led 73-53 with 10:43 left.

The Geoducks shot 42.9% for the game (27 of 63) and hit 7 of 21 three-pointers (33.3%). Evergreen was 10 for 11 on free throws (90.9%). The Geoducks are 23 for 25 at the free throw line (92.0%) this season. Montana Tech finished 33 of 72 on field goals (45.8%), including 10 of 25 from 3-point range (40.0%). The Orediggers sank 17 of 25 free throws (68.0%). Evergreen outrebounded Montana Tech 43-39.

Up next for Evergreen is an exhibition game at Portland State University on Thursday, Nov. 7. Game time at Viking Pavilion in Portland, Oregon, is set for 7 p.m. PST.