LEWISTON, Idaho – Abbie Johnson and Jossilyn Blackman put up a combined 42 points, 21 each, to help the Warriors to an 82-58 win over Montana Tech to open up the 2018-19 Frontier Conference season. Ahead by only two at the half, the Warriors outscored the Orediggers 44-22 in the second half to run away with their ninth victory of the year.

The win is head coach Brian Orr's 432nd of his career, placing him fifth among active women's basketball coaches in the NAIA.

"The second half I thought we were really efficient," Orr said. "We found the open player, we shared the ball and didn't turn it over as much and of course we shot a great percentage."

The Warriors went on a nine-point scoring run early in the first half. Sparked by a 3-pointer from Johnson at 7:43, the sophomore capped the run with a pair of free throws to put LC in front 11-1. The Diggers clung to within 10 as Cali Moscrip drained two free throws to end the first quarter with LC ahead 24-14.

Montana Tech won the second quarter, putting up 22 points compared to the Warriors' 14. Johnson used an assist from Hannah Burland to give LC its biggest lead of the half at 30-16 with 8:09 to play. The Orediggers strung together small runs, including one of seven points to come with three at 34-31 in the final two minutes. Free throws from Abby Farmer and Johnson kept the Warriors in front to head into halftime leading 38-36.

After Montana Tech evened the contest with a basket to open the third quarter, Blackman answered to put LC back in the driver's seat. She added a second basket 40 seconds later to grow the lead to four. Kiara Burlage began an eight-point rally with a pair of free throws. Blackman, Burlage and Johnson chipped in three straight baskets to grow the advantage to 57-45 with under two minutes left in the quarter, and five points from Hailey Turner in the final minute gave the Warriors a 17-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Turner picked up right where she left off, draining a basket on an assist from Blackman to give LC a 66-47 lead to open the fourth quarter. A huge 12-point run was jumpstarted by free throws from Moscrip at the 4:57 mark, and foul shots from Blackman and buckets from Turner helped fuel the fire. A free throw by Delaney Henery capped the Warriors' scoring at 82 points.

Johnson's 21 points are a career-high for the sophomore, with 17 of those 21 coming in the first half alone. Blackman's 21 sit one point shy of her current career-high of 22. With the win, the Warriors have now won 10-straight against Montana Tech.

Moscrip and Emily Banks each tallied three steals and Johnson led the way with seven boards. The defense forced 23 turnovers and held Montana Tech to a 34.5 percent shooting percentage.

Turner jumped into the scoring mix with 12 points. The Warriors shot nearly 50 percent on the night (28-58).

"I was really happy with the way we played offensively the first half and I thought our defense was pretty solid. We forced 23 turnovers," Orr said.

Another bright spot for the Warriors: Henery and Jansen Edmiston both returned to the lineup for the first time this season.

"It's the first time we've had 12 players in a couple years, so I just wanted to get those two girls in the game but stay with a similar rotation," Orr said.

Montana Tech's Dani Urick put up a strong 18 points in the contest and Kaylee Zard grabbed six rebounds.

The Warriors hit the road this weekend when they travel to Dillon, Mont. to take on Montana-Western. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.