University of North Texas Athletics
Mitchell Snags Third Straight Sun Belt Honor
1/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas - North Texas freshman Tony Mitchell was named the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the third consecutive week, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.
Mitchell becomes just the second player in league history to receive three consecutive Player of the Week awards and the first since the 2008-09 season when Brandon Hazzard of Troy received three consecutive honors.
Mitchell racked up 30 points and 17 rebounds to lift North Texas (12-8, 5-2 SBC) to an overtime win over Denver and into a tie for first place in the West Division. The 17 rebounds are the most by a Sun Belt player this year, topping his 16 rebound outing at South Alabama earlier this month.
The 30 points are the second most in a league game behind his 34 points at USA. The freshman had a crucial, game-high four points in the overtime period, and was 11-of-19 (57.9 percent) from the floor in the game. Seven of Mitchell’s rebounds came on the offensive glass, and he added two blocks and a steal.
The Mean Green has now won five of its last six games, with the only loss coming on a half-court buzzer beater on the road at Arkansas State on Jan. 7.
North Texas now travels to Louisiana-Lafayette on Jan. 25 and will get a chance at revenge against Arkansas State at home on Jan. 28 on the SBC Network.
