Kyle Weems is the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, and Anthony Downing has earned MVC Newcomer of the Week honors, the league announced Monday (Jan. 2).

Weems (Sr., F, Topeka, Kan.) helped Missouri State to a 2-0 start in league play with a career-high 31-point output in Wednesday’s win at No. 19 Creighton and 22 points in Saturday’s home win over Drake. He was 21-for-34 (.618) from the field in two games, including 5-of-6 (.833) from three-point range. He also led MSU in rebounding in both contests, averaging 8.0 caroms per game. Weems was 11-for-22 from the field against Creighton with 7 rebounds and knocked down all six free throws he attempted in the final 42 seconds to help the Bears secure their first-ever road win against a ranked opponent. He followed that with a 10-for-12 shooting effort against Drake with 9 rebounds.

This is Weems’ sixth career MVC Player of the Week honor. Only three players in MVC history — Hersey Hawkins, Bradley (14), Bob Harstad, Creighton (8) and Kyle Korver, Creighton (7) have earned MVC Player of the Week honors more times than Weems.

Downing (Jr., G, Atchison, Kan.,  Independence [Kan.] Community College) is the MVC Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season. He posted a pair of double-figure scoring efforts this week to average 18.5 points per game in his first two collegiate starts. He was 11-for-14 from the field at Creighton to pace his career-high 26-point night. He was also 4-for-6 from three-point range along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists against the Bluejays. He followed that effort with an 11-point game against Drake on Saturday.

The Bears have earned MVC Newcomer of the Week laurels five times this season. Downing also received the award on Nov. 14

Missouri State (9-5, 2-0) resumes conference play Wednesday at JQH Arena when the Illinois State Redbirds (9-4, 1-1) visit.

— MSU Sports Information —