MOREHEAD , Ky.—Morehead State senior center Kenneth Faried earned his second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week award the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Faried averaged 18.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.0 blocks/game in a pair of close road losses for Morehead State last week. The reigning OVC Player of the Year also hit 58.6 percent (17-of-29) from the field as the Eagles lost in the final seconds at UNC Wilmington and by just six points at No. 9-ranked Florida. At UNCW, Faried had 16 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and four steals as MSU lost on a shot with 3.5 seconds left. At nationally-ranked Florida, Faried held his own with the Gators big front line, scoring 20 points and grabbing a season-high 18 rebounds in the 61-55 loss. Faried also had two assists, two steals and two blocks in that game. After Morehead State trailed by 17 points at halftime, Faried scored 14 of his points and grabbed 14 of his rebounds in the second half as the Eagles got the game as close as five points in the second half. Faried, who ranked second nationally with 25 double-doubles last season, currently has three in four games this year and 59 for his career (most nationally among active players). It is the ninth OVC Player of the Week honor of his career (and second in as many weeks this season); he is just two awards shy of the all-time OVC record of 11 held by UT Martin’s Lester Hudson.
Faried’s nine career OVC Player of the Week awards are just two behind the all-time record of 11 (held by UT Martin’s Lester Hudson). Faried earned the award five times last season and this is the second time this season.
