Missouri State junior guard Anthony Downing (Atchison, Kan.), a transfer from Independence (Kan.) Community College, is this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday (Jan. 30).

This is the third time Downing has been recognized with the honor this season and the sixth time the Bears have received the award in 2011-12.  Downing also received the distinction on Nov. 14 and Jan. 2.

He averaged 12.5 points per game on the week, including 16 points in Saturday’s home win over UNI. He registered 3 three-pointers, all in the second half, and was 3-for-3 at the free throw line against the Panthers to help MSU post its first-ever win over UNI at The Q. With that win, MSU improved to 4-1 when Downing scores 16 or more points. He finished the week with 5 three-pointers.

Downing returned to the starting lineup on Jan. 18 and is averaging 11.3 points and 3.3 assists in the four games since. For the season, he is averaging 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while ranking second on the club in three-pointers (32) and free throw percentage (.814).

Since the inception of the MVC Newcomer of the Week award in 2003-04, only three schools have had more than six honorees in a single season — Creighton (10) in 2007-08, Illinois State (7) in 2006-07 and Creighton (7) in 2010-11. The only other MSU player to earn the award three times in a single season was Adam Leonard in 2009-10.

Downing and the Bears are 13-10 overall and tied for third in the MVC at 6-5 headed into Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. clash with rival Wichita State at JQH Arena.

— MSU Sports Information —