HELENA, Mont. - For the third time in 2026, the (RV) Carroll Women's Basketball team took down a ranked opponent inside the PE Center, smothering No. 13 Montana Tech 69-41 in front of a raucous crowd on Friday night.

Friday night's rivalry game meant a little more than most, as the Fighting Saints (15-6, 13-2) and the Orediggers (16-3, 12-3) met tied for the Frontier Conference lead for the first time in over 22 years.

Looking to rebound from a pair of losses to Tech in their last two meetings, the Carroll Women came ready to play and jumped out to a commanding lead early. Willa Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-SR) wasted little time getting herself rolling on Friday, as her 13-point first quarter effort powered the Saints to a 23-10 lead after one.

Meagan Karstetter (Moses Lake, Wash. / SR) posted eight second quarter points and pulled down a trio of offensive boards, while Jillian Kanduch (Miles City, Mont. / FR) added five points of her own to help Carroll blow the game open at the break, 41-20.

The Carroll defense was stifling all night long, but the tone was set early as the Saints forced 11 Montana Tech turnovers in the opening 20 minutes while holding the Orediggers to just 27 percent shooting in the half (8-29).

The third quarter was the lone frame in which Montana Tech outscored Carroll (14-13), with the Saints having their worst shooting frame of the night at just 28 percent from the floor. 

Any semblance of a Tech comeback in the fourth quarter was put to rest thanks to more terrific defense from the Saints. The Orediggers had no chance over the final ten minutes, as the Carroll defense stiffened and forced four more turnovers while limiting Tech to just two field goals - putting an emphatic close on the 28-point victory to remain atop the Frontier standings.

Four different Saints recorded 10 or more points in the lopsided rivalry win, led by Jillian Kanduch and her game-high 18-point night that featured three steals and three boards. Albrecht finished the night with 13 points and six rebounds, while Karstetter and Kenzie Allen (Grantsville, Utah / JR) each finished with 12 points.

The Saints will turn around and look to extend their eight-game win streak going tomorrow night, as they aim to take down Montana Western for the 21st-straight time at the PE Center at 5 p.m.