Best of the Holidays

(St. Louis, MO) – Great performances proceeded to the great national holiday. With Christmas approaching, stars in the Valley Conferences gave good gifts to their fans.

Missouri Valley Conference

Egidijus Mockevicius’ personal assault on rebounding, blocked shots and double-double records continued last week. The 6’10 senior scored 19 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in Evansville’s win over Alabama A & M. In so doing, Mockevicius earned his 11^th double-double of the season and is tied for the national lead in that category. He also leads the nation at 13.8 caroms per game.

Mockevicius earned his third ‘Player of the Week’ award.

Drake’s Kale Abrahamson earned his second ‘Newcomer of the Week’ award for scoring 30 points in the Bulldogs’ win over Abilene Christian. The Northwestern transfer reached the 30 point mark for the second time this season.

Ohio Valley Conference

Austin Peay sophomore Josh Robinson (St. Mary’s High School – St. Louis) had a break out game with 30 points of his own in the Governors’ 84-77 victory over defending Southern Conference Tournament champion Wofford. Robinson, this week’s ‘Player of the Week’ made all 14 of his free-throw attempts and both of his shots from long distance.

There were ‘Co-Newcomers of the Week’ as Greg Tucker (Jacksonville State) and DeJuan Marrero (Morehead State) were so honored. Tucker scored 15 points in the Gamecocks’ win over Northern Colorado and Marrero recorded a double-double against Davidson.

‘Freshman of the Week’ honors went to Southeast Missouri’s Eric McGill. The Memphis native sparked the Redhawks to their first two wins of the season by aveaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals during those victories.

At press time, the Great Lakes Valley Conference had not announced their weekly award winners.

With the conference season beginning this week for both of the Division 1 ‘Valleys’, the game-by-game importance increases. Next week’s honorees will more than earn their awards.

Do Good