NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech's Kevin Murphy was named
Monday as the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week, for his
performances in three Golden Eagle games last week.
A 6-foot-6 forward from Fairburn, Ga., Murphy led Tech in games
last week against Austin Peay, Murray State and UT Martin,
averaging 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals per
game. He scored 16 points in a start last Monday against Austin
Peay and followed that with 12 points and seven boards in 27
minutes of action at Murray State.
Murphy wrapped up his strong week with a career-high 23 points at
UT Martin, along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals
at UT Martin. In that game Murphy hit 11-of-12 free throws and for
the week connected on 17-of-19 (89.5%) charity attempts.
The Creekside High School product has scored in double figures in
six of his last seven games, and ranks as the second-highest
scoring freshman in the conference during league play with 9.8
points per game. In OVC action, Murphy ranks sixth in the league in
free throw percentage and seventh in 3-point percentage.
Murphy and the Golden Eagles will be showcased this week on
national TV when Tech hosts Tennessee State Thursday night on
ESPNU. Tipoff for the game in Eblen Center is at 8:05 p.m. CST.
In addition to the award to Murphy, the OVC also named Morehead
State sophomore center Kenneth Faried as the Player of the Week,
and junior Lamont Russell of Southeast Missouri as the Newcomer of
the Week.