Ace Hunt
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State sophomore RJ Mahurin was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player Of The Week today (Dec. 19) by the league office for his efforts in leading the Sycamores to a 61-55 road victory over No. 25 Vanderbilt in Nashville on December 17.
Mahurin came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points against the Commodores. He hit 5-of-8 shots from the field and was 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He added a pair of rebounds and one large assist in the contest. Mahurin hit three of his 3-pointers in the first half, including a key one with 1:31 left before the half which drew the Sycamores within two points of the Commodores. He then found Carl Richard open for another three with 36 seconds left and at the end of the shot clock which sent the two teams into the half tied. He hit each of his first two 3-pointers early in the first half to help ISU build an early 16-4 lead over No. 25 Vanderbilt. His fourth 3-pointer came with 14 minutes left in the game to even the score at 41 after Vanderbilt had taken a brief lead.
This MVC Player of the Week honor is the first for Mahurin in his career at Indiana State. Michael Bizoukas of Missouri State was named the MVC Newcomer Of The Week.
The Sycamores also received their first vote in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll since 2005 this week following the win over Vanderbilt. ISU is the 41st team listed in the national poll.
Indiana State returns to action on Wednesday, December 21 when they host Louisiana-Monroe inside Hulman Center. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET).
