February 14, 2026
BUTTE, Mont. – Montana Tech shot 52.1 percent overall rom the field (25-of-48 field goals) Saturday evening at Kelvin Sampson Court at Valley Bank Arena, earning a 71-50 Frontier Conference men's basketball victory over Dakota State (S.D.). The Orediggers never trailed in the game to secure the win.
The Trojans dropped their fourth straight game, falling to 16-9 overall record and 11-9 record in the league. Montana Tech, receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, improved to 19-7 overall record and 13-7 record in the conference.
How it happened
Montana Tech opened the game with a three-pointer from Brayden Koch and built a 7-0 advantage before Dakota State got settled. The Trojans snapped their scoring drought with a layup from
Nathan Ojukwu with sixteen minutes and thirty-eight seconds on the clock (DSU trailed 7-2).
Asher Williams provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 13 first-half points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting effort. Brayden Koch added three first-half three-pointers as Montana Tech shot 51.9 percent from the field (14-of-27 field goals) and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc (5-of-11 3-pointers) in the opening 20 minutes to take a 37-23 lead at the break.
Dakota State struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 30.0 percent (9-of-30 field goals) and going 0-for-6 from three-point range.
In the second half, the Trojans attempted to chip away behind
Lukas Morgan and
Nolan Segner, but Montana Tech continued to answer. Hayden Diekhans controlled the interior and facilitated the offense, while Ethan Venema and Connor Michaud provided key baskets off the bench.
Montana Tech stretched its lead to as many as 21 points midway through the second half and closed out the contest by shooting 52.4 percent (11-of-21 field goals) after halftime.
The Orediggers finished the night shooting 52.1 percent overall (25-of-48 field goals) compared to 31.7 percent (19-of-60 field goals) for Dakota State
Dakota State Individual Leaders
Dakota State shot 19-of-60 (31.7 percent) from the field and just 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) from three-point range. The Trojans were 10-of-11 at the free-throw line (90.9 percent).
Montana Tech Individual Leaders
- Asher Williams – 21 points (7-10 field goals, 6-6 free-throws)
- Hayden Diekhans – 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
- Brayden Koch – 12 points (3-6 3-point field goals)
- Connor Michaud – 9 points
- Ethan Venema – 8 points, 6 rebounds
Montana Tech placed four players in double figures and received 39 bench points in the victory.
Team Statistics
| Category |
Dakota State |
Montana Tech |
| FG |
19-60 (31.7%) |
25-48 (52.1%) |
| 3PT |
2-16 (12.5%) |
6-16 (37.5%) |
| FT |
10-11 (90.9%) |
15-18 (83.3%) |
| Rebounds |
32 |
31 |
| Assists |
6 |
13 |
| Turnovers |
10 |
10 |
| Points in Paint |
28 |
36 |
| Bench Points |
14 |
39 |
| Largest Lead |
— |
21 |
Ties: 0
Lead Changes: 0
Up Next
Dakota State looks to return in winning column next weekend as they close out the regular season schedule at DSU Fieldhouse. The Trojans host Dickinson State (N.D.) Friday evening at 7 p.m. Construction/Neon will be the theme as well as Military Appreciation Night.
DSU hosts Bismarck State (N.D.) in the final regular season contest next Saturday at 7 p.m. Senior Day will be held before the start of the men's warm-up or after the conclusion of the women's game.
