MSU’s Cook Earns Valley Awards for Player and Newcomer of Week
ST. LOUIS – Missouri State guard Keandre Cook (Jr., Baltimore, Md.) was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Cook helped the Bears to a 2-0 home stand last week with game highs in scoring and rebounding in both contests while averaging 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds. He also led the charge in a resurgent MSU defense that allowed just 36.0 points per game on the week.
The transfer from Odessa (Texas) College scored 21 points and snagged eight rebounds in the Bears’ win over Loyola on Wednesday, converting 8-of-12 field goals and 5-of-8 from 3-point range in a thrilling home win. He followed that with a double-double in Saturday’s win over Bradley, notching 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. He also tallied 14 defensive rebounds and converted seven three-pointers on the week.
Including teammate Tulio DaSilva’s double-honors two weeks ago (Jan. 14), it is just the 20th time since the league began recognizing a Newcomer of the Week recipient in 2003-04 that a player has won both awards in the same week. Missouri State now has five players on that list with Cook and Da Silva joining Alize Johnson (Nov. 14, 2016 and Jan. 2, 2017) and Blake Ahearn (Jan. 12, 2004).
Cook was also named MVC Newcomer of the Week on Nov. 12 after he helped lead the Bears to a 3-0 start with 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on opening week.
The Bears begin a two-game league road swing Tuesday at Valparaiso before heading to UNI on Feb. 2. Missouri State returns to JQH Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 6 to battle rival Southern Illinois in a regionally-televised showdown against the Salukis.
