Dec. 7, 2009
Guards Justin Hurtt of Tulsa and Elliot Williams of Memphis each averaged more than 20 ppg and led their teams to a pair of victories to earn Player and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively. The awards were selected for games through Dec. 6 by a media panel representing each conference member. Hurtt scored 21 points in wins over in-state rival Oklahoma State and Ohio, where he also hit the game-winning free throws. Williams led the Tigers in scoring in both wins, and has held that distinction in all six games this season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JUSTIN HURTT, TULSA
Junior, Guard, Raytown, Mo.
In wins over Oklahoma State and Ohio, Hurtt scored a team-high 21 points in each game. He averaged 21.0 points, 2.0 assists and shot 57 percent from the field, 54 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free throw line. He shot 64 percent from the field (7-11) and 60 percent from three-point range (3-5) in a 21-point victory (86-65) over Oklahoma State - a team that ranked 26th in voting in both the AP and Coaches polls. Hurtt scored 11 of his 21 points in the first-half helping Tulsa build a 15-point halftime lead over OSU. In the win over Ohio, Hurtt sealed the victory with two free throws with 11 seconds remaining in the game. He also shot 8-of-15 field goals and was 3-of-6 from behind the arc, while adding three assists, two blocks, two rebounds with no turnovers in 35 minutes. This is the first C-USA Player of the Week honor of Hurtt's career.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
ELLIOT WILLIAMS, MEMPHIS
Sophomore, Guard, Memphis, Tenn.
Williams averaged 20 points, three rebounds and two assists in a pair of Tiger wins this week. He has led the team in scoring all six games this season and netted 20 or more points in five-straight. Last time a Memphis player scored 20 or more points in more than five consecutive was Sean Banks in the final six regular season games of 2003-04 season. In Saturday's Arkansas State game, he scored five points and assisted on another basket in a 15-4 first-half run to cut a 22-9 Red Wolves lead to 26-24. He also scored the go-ahead basket in the second half for a 40-39 lead and added a thunder dunk midway through second half to push Memphis' lead to double-digits at 52-41. In a 77-46 win over Oakland on Nov. 30, Williams scored 11 first-half points to help the Tigers build a 31-17 lead. He also had three steals and netted final basket on a 360-dunk with 6:11 left in the game. This is Williams' second Rookie of the Week honor.
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