For the fourth time this season, Missouri State junior guard Anthony Downing (Atchison, Kan.), a transfer from Independence (Kan.) Community College, has been named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday (Feb. 20).

Downing averaged a team-high 15.0 points per game over the last two games while firing at an impressive 13-for-25 clip from the perimeter. He was 3-for-3 from three-point distance against No. 24 Wichita State on Feb. 15, helping establish himself as one of the league’s top-scoring juniors.

Over the last three games, Downing has averaged 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, made 19-of-36 (.528) field goals and tallied 11 assists.

For the season, Downing is averaging 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. He has earned 13 starts, including 10 straight, and also earned Valley Newcomer of the Week honors on Nov. 14, Jan. 2 and Jan. 30.

Missouri State has claimed seven Newcomer of the Week laurels this season, matching Illinois State (2006-07) and Creighton (2010-11) for the second-highest season total since the conference established the weekly award in 2003-04. Creighton had 10 recipients in 2007-08.

The Bears (16-13, 9-7 MVC) will close out their 2011-12 home slate Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against Indiana State at JQH Arena. MSU currently sits alone in third place in The Valley standings and can clinch the No. 3 seed for next week’s State Farm MVC Tournament with a win and help from MVC front-runners Wichita State and Creighton.  Missouri State’s four senior players — Kyle Weems, Caleb Patterson, Isaiah Rhine and Michael Bizoukas — will be honored during pregame ceremonies during the annual Senior Night recognition.

— MSU Sports Information —