INDIANAPOLIS – Alec Peters of Valparaiso and Drew McDonald of Northern Kentucky have been named co-Horizon League Players of the Week. Peters was the catalyst for the Crusaders’ win against No. 21 Rhode Island while McDonald led Northern Kentucky to two road wins last week. Detroit Mercy’s Corey Allen averaged 18 points per game on 60 percent shooting and has been named Freshman of the Week.
Co-Players of the Week
Drew McDonald | Northern Kentucky | Sophomore | Forward | Cold Spring, Ky.
McDonald posted 25 points per game and nine rebounds per contest to lead Northern Kentucky to road wins over Morehead State and Norfolk State. The sophomore forward was exceptionally efficient, converting 19-of-24 field goal attempts (79.2 percent), including 5-of-6 from beyond the 3-point line. He scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Morehead State – his fifth consecutive 20-point game.
This is McDonald’s first Horizon League Player of the Week selection this season and for his career. McDonald was twice named Freshman of the Week last season. He is the first Northern Kentucky player to earn Player of the Week honors since Cole Murray took the weekly honor Jan. 25, 2016.
Alec Peters | Valparaiso | Senior | Forward | Washington, Ill.
Peters was the star of the game during Valparaiso’s win over No. 21 Rhode Island, leading all players in scoring (27) and rebounding (9). The senior forward was perfect from the free throw line (10-of-10) and helped thwart a URI rally by converting on three consecutive possessions following the four-minute timeout in the second half. Peters also made the decisive play of the game when he blocked the potential game-tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
This is the second consecutive Horizon League Player of the Week honor for Peters and seventh weekly award of his career.
2016 Horizon League Players of the Week
Nov. 14 – Mark Alstork, Wright State
Nov. 21 – Mark Alstork, Wright State
Nov. 28 – Alec Peters, Valparaiso
Dec. 5 – Drew McDonald, Northern Kentucky | Alec Peters, Valparaiso
Freshman of the Week – Corey Allen | Detroit Mercy | Guard | Ypsilanti, Mich.
Allen averaged 18 points per game, including a career-high 20 against Eastern Michigan, while shooting 60 percent from the field last week for Detroit Mercy. The guard from Ypsilanti, Mich., connected on 8-of-13 3-point shots for the week (61.5 percent) and was perfect from the foul line. Allen followed his 20-point performance with 16 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists at Murray State.
This is Allen’s first Horizon League Freshman of the Week honor and is the first Detroit Mercy player to earn the honor since Josh McFolley was tabbed Nov. 16, 2015.
2016 Horizon League Freshman of the Week
Nov. 14 – Carson Williams, Northern Kentucky
Nov. 21 – Marcus Ottey, UIC
Nov. 28 – Isaiah Brock, Oakland
Dec. 5 – Corey Allen, Detroit
