Bryant named WCC Player of the Week

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference has named BYU guard Elijah Bryant its Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for February 27, 2017. Bryant is the second Cougar to win WCC Player of the Week Honors this season as sophomore Eric Mika is a three-time honoree.

A sophomore from Gwinnett, Georgia, Bryant led BYU to a 2-0 week with wins at Portland (97-78) and No. 1 Gonzaga (79-71). Bryant averaged 26.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 47.4 percent from 3 and 100.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Bryant had a career night at Portland, scoring a career-high 39 points while adding five rebounds, six assists and one block. The Gwinnett, Georgia, native hit 10 of 17 from the field while draining 7 of 12 from 3 and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line, both career bests. Bryant helped the Cougars get out to a 23-11 lead by hitting four 3s in the first seven minutes of the game. He finished the first half with 22 points while hitting five 3s and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Bryant’s 39 points are tied for third most ever by a BYU sophomore.

At Gonzaga, Bryant totaled 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals to help the Cougars knock off the previously undefeated Bulldogs. Bryant scored 10 first half points and helped BYU recover from an 18-2 deficit to trail by just six at the half, 41-35. Bryant made several key plays down the stretch, starting with hitting a pair of free throws to tie the game at 69-all with 3:22 to go. With 1:52 remaining, he hit a driving layup to tie the score again at 71-all and on the next possession, assisted the basket that put the Cougars ahead for good. With BYU leading 73-71, Bryant stole the ball and the Cougars ended up scoring again to lead 75-71.

See more at WCCsports.com.

Also Nominated:  Lamond Murray Jr., Pepperdine; Anthony Townes, Pacific; Johnathan Williams, Gonzaga

2016-17 WCC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

2/27 – Elijah Bryant, BYU
2/20 – Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga
2/13 – Lamond Murray Jr., Pepperdine
2/6 – Lamond Murray Jr., Pepperdine
1/30 – Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga
1/23 – Eric Mika, BYU
1/16 – Jared Brownridge, Santa Clara
1/9 – Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga
1/2 – Alec Wintering, Portland
12/26 – Jared Brownridge, Santa Clara
12/19 – Gabe Taylor, Portland
12/12 – Eric Mika, BYU
12/5 – Brett Bailey, San Diego
11/28 – Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga
11/21 – Eric Mika, BYU
11/14 – Jock Landale, Saint Mary’s