By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After putting together the best offensive performance of his young Golden Eagle career, others around the league took notice as Shirmane Thomas was named the adidas® Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week Monday afternoon.
A freshman from Homer, La., Thomas scored a career-best mark 12 points in helping Tech to a 79-74 victory at Lamar Sunday afternoon. The point guard sank two 3-pointers in the affair, including a buzzer-beater to end the first half and give the Golden Eagles a 13-point advantage.
He also finished the contest with two assists, two rebounds, and a blocked shot while shooting 50 percent from the field. Thomas connected on 4-of-8 shots in 19 minutes of action off the bench.
The only true freshman to play for Tech this season, Thomas is averaging 3.3 points per game in just under 14 minutes on the court each game. He is shooting a solid .455 from 3-point range and is second on the team with 18 assists.
Here's a look at this week's Ohio Valley Conference awards:
PLAYER
Chris Horton, C • So., 6-8, 205 • Decatur, Ga. • Austin Peay
Horton recorded his fifth double-double of the season in Austin Peay's 77-71 victory over Liberty on Saturday night. The sophomore tallied 21 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked four shots in leading the Governors to the victory. Horton connected on 8-of-10 (80%) field goal attempts and also had a steal and an assist in 36 minutes of action. His 3.5 blocks/game ranks first in the OVC while his five double-doubles and 10.1 rebounds/game are third in the Conference.
Others Nominated: Glenn Cosey, Eastern Kentucky; Keaton Jackson, SIUE; Patrick Miller, Tennessee State; Dennis Ogbe, Tennessee Tech.
NEWCOMER
Jarekious Bradley, F • Jr., 6-5, 220 • Memphis, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Bradley earned his fifth OVC Newcomer of the Week honor in six weeks of the season by scoring 28 points and grabbing nine rebounds in Southeast Missouri's game with Illinois-Chicago on Saturday. Bradley hit 10-of-16 (62.5%) field goals and 6-of-7 free throws in scoring 20 or more points for the fourth-straight game (and eighth time this season). He scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half of the contest and currently ranks second in the OVC in scoring (19.5 points/game).
Others Nominated: Damarius Smith, Austin Peay; Keaton Jackson, SIUE; Jaleel Queary, Tennessee State; Ladon Carter, Tennessee Tech.
FRESHMAN
Shirmane Thomas, G • Fr., 6-2, 175 • Homer, La. • Tennessee Tech
Others Nominated: Undra Mitchem, Jacksonville State; Jamonte Graham, Tennessee State.
