Tech women ready to play at home in Peg Sarsfield Classic

If the Montana Tech women’s basketball team had a homecoming celebration, the upcoming Peg Sarsfield Classic might be the time for it.

After playing seven of their first nine games on the road — including the last three against Big Sky Conference Div. I opponents — the Orediggers are ready to settle in at home and play a few here.

Montana Tech hosts Bluefield College Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the tourney tip-off on the Kelvin Sampson Court of the HPER Complex.

The teams take a break for Thanksgiving, then it’s back to action on Friday and Saturday for Tech, Bluefield, Snow College, Carroll College and Montana-Western.

Tech head coach Kerie DePell said her team is excited to be home, especially after the last three games against Eastern Washington, Idaho State and the Lady Griz of Montana.

“I think it was a learning experience for everybody,” DePell mused. “When we’re a little bit overmatched at each position it makes us work that much harder for anything that we do get. I think it will help us a lot in the long run, learning how to play against people who are taller and more athletic.”

Tech’s next four games are at home, giving the team a chance to regain some equilibrium — and maybe a bit of confidence.

“It’s exciting for the girls to get back in our home gym and show people in Butte what we’re all about,” DePell said. “It was hard to have that last week of Div. I games all in a row, but I think we can get our confidence back in the next four games at home.”

Bluefield College, Tech’s first opponent, comes all the way from Virginia, and the Rams sport a 1-4 record on the young season

“We don’t really know much about them, which is scary,”

See SARSFIELD, Page B6

DePell said. “They’re very athletic and they do like to run, which actually plays into our scheme. We definitely want to run. That’s one thing we’re good at and we have Rebecca Gimeno back at the point guard, so that will help us.”

Out two and a half weeks with a bone bruise on her knee, Gimeno returned for the game last Thursday in Missoula.

“She was a little rusty, but I’m looking forward to having her back at the point guard here tomorrow night,” DePell said.

Tech forward Adrea Thomas is out with a high ankle sprain suffered Thursday. The Orediggers will start Jenessa Todd in her place.

“I’m looking for good things from Jenessa as well,” DePell said. “It’s going to be a high-paced game from both teams.”

Peg Sarsfield Classic

Wednesday, Nov. 21

6 p.m. — Montana Tech vs. Bluefield College

Friday, Nov. 23

4 p.m. — Carroll College vs. Bluefield College

6 p.m. — UM-Western vs. Snow College

Saturday, Nov. 24

3 p.m. — UM-Western vs. Bluefield College

5 p.m. — Carroll College vs. Snow College