OVC Basketball Report: Cameron Payne named OVC Player of the Week

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adidas® OVC Players of the Week

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cameron Payne, G • So., 6-2, 180 • Memphis, Tenn. • Murray State

Payne earned his third OVC Player of the Week honor of the season after scoring 22 points and dishing out seven assists in Murray State’s 83-71 road victory over Southern Illinois. It marked the Racers seventh-straight victory overall and was the first in Carbondale since 1990 (breaking a four-game skid at SIU). Payne was 6-of-13 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and was a perfect 7-of-7 at the charity stripe. In addition to his seven assists he had two steals and a rebound. Payne currently ranks second in the OVC in scoring (19.1 points/game), assists (5.6/game) and steals (2.6/game).

Others Nominated: Luke Piotrowski, Eastern Illinois; D.J. Felder, Jacksonville State; Josiah Moore, Tennessee Tech.

NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK

Arkeem Joseph, C • Jr., 6-9, 280 • Brooklyn, N.Y. • UT Martin

Joseph, a transfer from Monroe College, had season bests with 12 points and seven rebounds in UT Martin’s road game at Butler last week. The junior also played a season-high 32 minutes in hitting 5-of-8 (62.5%) field goals and also adding a blocked shot for the Skyhawks.

Others Nominated: Trae Anderson, Eastern Illinois; Denzel Richardson, Eastern Kentucky; Justin Seymour, Murray State; Jake Newton, Jr., SIUE; Torrance Rowe, Tennessee Tech.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

Aleksa Jugovic, G • Fr., 6-3, 185 • Leskovac, Serbia • Tennessee Tech

Jugovic had 11 points and a season-high six assists as Tennessee Tech went to UMKC and won 81-60, marking its largest non-conference road win since 1982. Jugovic came off the bench to hit 3-of-7 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws in 27 minutes of action. In addition to his six assists he also added three rebounds and a steal.

This Week’s Schedule

Monday, December 29

North Florida at Tennessee Tech, 6:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Morehead State at Central Arkansas, 7:00 p.m.

Tennessee State at TCU, 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 30

Eastern Kentucky at Coppin State, 12:00 p.m.

Maryland-Eastern Shore at UT Martin, 6:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Alabama A&M at Murray State, 7:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Wednesday, December 31

North Florida at Austin Peay, 2:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Kennesaw State at Tennessee State, 7:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Thursday, January 1

Crowley’s Ridge at UT Martin, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

*Jacksonville State at SIUE, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

*Southeast Missouri at Belmont, 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

*Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois, 3:15 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Saturday, January 3

Austin Peay at Ole Miss, 1:00 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)

*Jacksonville State at Eastern Illinois, 3:15 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

South Carolina State at Eastern Kentucky, 6:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

*Tennessee Tech at SIUE, 6:30 p.m. (FOX Sports Midwest)

*Murray State at Morehead State, 6:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

*Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State, 7:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)