BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU senior guard T.J. Price was named Conference USA Co-Player of the Week and freshman forward Justin Johnson earned C-USA Co-Freshman of the Week honors Monday for their performances helping the Hilltoppers take down Ole Miss in Oxford Saturday afternoon.
The duo becomes WKU’s first players to earn C-USA weekly awards in the Hilltoppers’ first season in the league. Price shared the award with LA Tech’s Alex Hamilton, and Johnson shared with Edward Simpson Jr. of Middle Tennessee.
Price had a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the key road win at Ole Miss Saturday, and 21 of his 26 points came in the second half where WKU erased a 17-point deficit from late in the first half and a 13-point halftime hole to win. The Slidell, La. native hit all eight of his free throw tries in the game, including four in the final 3:00 of the tight game.
Price also added five assists in 36 minutes, and the double-double was his first of the season and third of his career. Price’s 26 points in the game were a season high and four shy of his career best, and he tied a season high with four three-pointers.
On the season Price is averaging 15.6 points per game, which leads WKU and ranks seventh in C-USA.
Johnson had eight points and seven rebounds off the bench at Ole Miss, helping key the important WKU victory. He hit 4-of-5 free throw tries while WKU went 15-for-15 from the line in the second half, and he also added two blocked shots and an assist while not recording a turnover.
The seven rebounds for the Hazard, Ky., native tied a career high, and the eight points were his second-most of his career. Johnson has had two blocks in three-straight contests and is averaging 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season.
Winners of three of their last four games, the Hilltoppers embark on a seven-game homestand, their longest since 1935, beginning Wednesday night at 7:00 (CT) against Chicago State.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKUBasketball on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUBasketball
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