Nov. 27, 2012

The University of Montana's Mathias Ward has been selected as the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for games played from Nov. 20 through Nov. 26, the league announced today (11/27/12).

Ward, a 6-foot-7, 228-pound senior forward from Gig Harbor, Wash., scored a season-high 23 points with four rebounds, and one assist in host Montana's last-second 67-66 win over the University of San Diego on Nov. 24. Montana, the defending Big Sky Conference champion, improved to 3-1 on the season with the win.

Ward made 8-of-14 shots from the floor, was 3-of-6 from 3-point range, and converted 4-of-5 free-throw attempts. He cut San Diego's lead to 65-64 with a lay-up with 11 seconds to play. Then, after a missed free throw by San Diego, Ward grabbed the rebound and dished the ball to a teammate who passed it to Kevin Henderson, and Henderson hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to play.

Ward had an outstanding junior season, starting in 30 games. He was the 25-7 Grizzlies' third leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points a game, which ranked him 17th in the Big Sky. A very efficient shooter, he was ranked fifth in the league in field goal percentage (53.8%) and eighth in free throw percentage (78.4%) a year ago.

Others Nominated

Venky Jois, F, EWU: Averaged 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games.

Melvin Morgan, G, ISU: Averaged 12.7 points per game in three losses.

Flavien Davis, F, MSU: Averaged 14.5 points and seven rebounds in two losses.

Aaron Anderson, G, UND: Scored 17 points in a loss.

Gabe Rogers, G, NAU: Averaged 17.5 points in a win and a loss.

Tate Unruh, G, NC: Averaged 12.5 points per game in two losses.

Michael Harthun, G, PSU: Averaged 11.5 points per game in two losses.

Dylan Garrity, G, SAC: Averaged 14.5 points and 5 assists in a win and a loss.