Weber State's Damian Lillard scored a career-high 41 points in a win over San Jose State.
Lillard Named POTW
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OGDEN, UTAH (Dec. 6, 2011) - Weber State’s Damian Lillard has been selected as the Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for games played between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5.
Lillard, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior guard from Oakland, Calif., scored a career-high 41 points and led Weber State to a thrilling 91-89 double-overtime win over San Jose State on Saturday night at the Dee Events Center. Lillard’s 41 points were the second-most in Weber State history, and he became the first Wildcat since 2000 to score 40 points in a game.
Lillard, the 2009-10 Big Sky MVP, had 24 points at the end of regulation, including a 3-pointer in the final seconds to send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime he scored eight of Weber State’s nine points, including another 3-pointer that tied the game at 71. Then with the Wildcats down four with two minutes to play, Lillard scored five quick points. He hit a floater in the lane, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass, scored and was fouled. He made free throw to give the Wildcats a one-point lead.
He scored nine of WSU’s 13 points in the second overtime, including his sixth 3-pointer. He scored the driving, go-ahead layup with 10.7 seconds remaining, was fouled and made the free throw to give WSU the win.
In the two overtime periods Lillard scored 17 points and was 6-8 from the field.
Lillard finished the night 13-21 from the field, including 6-11 from 3-point land. He was also 9-10 from the free-throw line and led the team with eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Lillard leads the nation in scoring with an average of 28.2 points per game. He has scored 20 or more points in five of six games this season.
Lillard has been named Player of the Week three times in his career.
Others Nominated
Cliff Colimon, G, Eastern Washington: Averaged eight points and four assists in two games.
Melvin Morgan, G, Idaho State: Averaged 13.7 points per game in three games.
Will Cherry, G, Montana: Averaged nine points and 3.5 assists in two games.
Xavier Blount, G, Montana State: Scored 26 points in a win over Cal State Bakersfield.
Colin Gruber, G, Northern Arizona: Averaged 13 points per game in two games.
Tate Unruh, G, Northern Colorado: Averaged 14 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games.
Nate Lozeau, C, Portland State: Scored 19 points with nine rebounds in a win over Walla Walla.