Missouri State standout Alize Johnson (Sr., Williamsport, Pa.) was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
Johnson helped the Bears to a 2-0 week and +18.0 scoring margin after averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game on the week.
He tallied 28 points behind five 3-pointers in the Bears’ 19-point win at Indiana State on Feb. 5, with a career-high four blocks. He followed that performance with 11 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in MSU’s 17-point home win over Evansville on Feb. 10. He was also 7-for-7 at the free throw line against the Aces while racking up his 17th double-double effort of the year.
Johnson was an even 11-for-22 from the field on the week and converted 12-of-13 (.923) free throws with a 6.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and three steals.
Also noteworthy for the preseason MVC player of the year was Saturday’s performance pushing him over 900 career points. He became just the 34th player in program history to do so and just the fifth two-year player.
This week’s accolades mark Johnson’s third MVC Player of the Week honor this season, also earning the distinction on Dec. 26 and Jan. 15, and the fifth such honor of his career. The only MSU player to win the MVC Player of the Week award more than Johnson is Kyle Weems (2008-12) who won it six times in his career.
Southern Illinois’ Kavion Pippen was named Newcomer of the Week
Johnson and the Bears (17-10, 7-7 MVC) return to conference action Wednesday at Southern Illinois for a 7 p.m. in a key Valley contest in Carbondale. The Bears then return home Feb. 18 and Feb. 21 to close out the home slate.
