November 10, 2026

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Tech swept the third edition of the 2026-27 Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference Men's Basketball Players-of-the-Week honors Tuesday after posting a pair of victories in the Best Western Tip Off Classic last weekend.

The Orediggers improved to 4-0 on the season after defeating Westcliff (Calif.) and Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) during the weekend.

Offensive Player of the Week
Asher Williams – Montana Tech
Guard – Sophomore – Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Williams averaged 22.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 76.2 percent from the field in Montana Tech's two victories at the Best Western Tip Off Classic.

He scored 22.0 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field in the Orediggers' 77-53 victory over Westcliff (Calif.) on Nov. 6. He was perfect from the 3-point line, making all three attempts, and converted 5-of-7 free throws. Williams added four rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

Williams followed with another 22-point performance in Montana Tech's 94-77 victory over Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Nov. 7. He connected on 9-of-11 field goals (81.8 percent), including 1-of-2 from beyond the arc, and made all three free-throw attempts. He also collected four rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

For the week, Williams totaled 44 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. He shot 16-of-21 from the field (76.2 percent), 4-of-5 from the 3-point line (80 percent) and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line (80 percent).

This is Williams’ first career Erck Hotels / Frontier Conference Player of the Week award.

Defensive Player of the Week
Ethan Venema – Montana Tech
Forward – Senior – Manhattan, Mont.

Venema provided a strong defensive presence for Montana Tech, averaging six rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game in the Orediggers' two victories at the Best Western Tip Off Classic.

He recorded seven rebounds, including six defensive boards, and blocked three shots in Montana Tech's 77-53 victory over Westcliff (Calif.) on Nov. 6. He also contributed four points and two assists in 19 minutes off the bench.

Venema followed with five rebounds, including three defensive boards, in the Orediggers' 94-77 victory over Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Nov. 7. He added nine points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer, and converted both free-throw attempts. Venema also dished out two assists.

For the week, Venema totaled 12 rebounds, including nine defensive boards, and three blocked shots. He also contributed 13 points and four assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field (5-of-11).

This is Venema’s first career Erck Hotels / Frontier Conference Player of the Week award.
 

	Offense	Defense
No. 3 - Nov. 10	Asher Williams - Montana Tech	Ethan Venema - Montana Tech
No. 2 - Nov. 3	Luke Holecek - MSU-Northern	Quinn Swanson - Providence (Mont.)
No. 1 - Oct. 27	Jermaine Haliburton - Bellevue (Neb.)	Za'Quien Whitehead – Bellevue (Neb.)