Grizzly Basketball News
Johnson snags third Player of the Week honor
by: Jon Kasper of Big Sky Conference
Monday, 2/2/2009
Updated: 2/2/2009 3:53 PM
Montana State’s Divaldo Mbunga and Montana’s Anthony Johnson have been selected as the co-Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Players of the Week after both led their respective teams to victories over Eastern Washington and Portland State.
Mbunga, a 6-foot-9, senior center from Angola, shot 75 percent from the field and averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game. Mbunga had seven offensive rebounds, including five against Eastern Washington.
Mbunga recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 69-65 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday. He made 7-of-10 from the field, and also registered three blocks and an assist. Mbunga tallied 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and pulled down eight rebounds with three assists and two blocks of an 85-82 upset of Portland State on Sunday.
Johnson, a 6-2 junior guard from Tacoma, Wash., averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as Montana moved to 7-3 in conference play and extended its home winning streak to nine games.
Johnson scored 15 points with three assists in a 72-65 upset of Portland State on Thursday. Johnson made 4-of-6 shots from the floor, and went 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Johnson netted a team-high 20 points with a career-high six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 60-52 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Johnson was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, and 6-of-12 from the field.
Johnson has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games, and is averaging a league-best 21.1 points per game in league play.
This is Mbunga’s first Player of the Week award this season, and the third of his career. Johnson has been named Player of the Week three times this season.
OTHERS NOMINATED FOR WEEKLY HONOR
Brandon Moore, F, EWU: Averaged 13.5 points and 5 rebounds in two losses.
Matt Stucki, G, ISU: Averaged 22 points per game in two losses.
Nick Larsen, F, NAU: Hit game-tying shot, and game-winning free throw in win.
Jabril Banks, F, NC: Averaged 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in a split.
Julius Thomas, F, PSU: Averaged 11.5 points and seven rebounds in two losses.
Daviin Davis, F, WSU: Averaged 16 points per game in two victories.