Alize Johnson Leads List of MVC & OVC Award Winners

(St. Louis, MO) – Missouri State’s Alize Johnson had a dominating week and Belmont’s Taylor Barnette played his best game ever, as conference play kicked off last week in the Missouri Valley and Ohio Valley Conferences. The two leagues handed out their weekly awards this week and Johnson stood above the rest for his play in his first ever MVC games.

Missouri Valley Conference

Johnson racked up a pair of double-doubles in his first two appearances in Valley play. After a solid 12 point/ten rebound game against Northern Iowa, the 6’9 transfer exploded for 30 points and 15 rebounds in an overtime win against Indiana State.

For his stellar performances, the former Frank Phillips College performer has been named the Valley’s ‘Player of the Week’ AND the ‘Newcomer of the Week’. It is the second time Johnson has swept the two awards and the fourth time a sweep has occurred this year. Loyola’s Aundre Jackson and Darrell Brown of Bradley shared a sweep of these awards earlier in the season.

Indiana State head coach Greg Lansing says Johnson is difficult to defend.

 

 

Johnson has won the ‘Newcomer’ award four times this season.

Ohio Valley Conference

Belmont’s Taylor Barnette recorded a career high 28 points in the Bruins’ OVC opening win over Austin Peay. The 6’3 senior scored 16 of his points during the decisive second half. Barnette becomes the second Belmont player to claim the ‘Player of the Week’ award and the eighth different player, in eight weeks to claim the distinction.

Jacksonville State shocked OVC watchers with two road wins last week, and one of the major reasons for their unexpected success was the play of junior Norbertas Giga. The 7’ transfer from Midland College averaged 16 points and nine rebounds in the Gamecocks two victories. JSU (9-7, 2-0) won eight games and four conference contests all last season. Giga is this week’s OVC ‘Newcomer of the Week’.

Jordan Walker has put together two outstanding weeks and after winning last week’s ‘Freshman’ award, he is this week’s ‘Freshman of the Week’. The Morehead State guard averaged 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals last week. Walker becomes the third OVC player to receive the freshman award more than once. Eastern Kentucky’s Asante Gist (3 times) and SIUE’s Christian Ellis (twice) are the others.

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