Southland Conference

FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian guard Payten Ricks is the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Southland Conference Players of the Week are presented by MidSouth Bank.

In a 73-72 win over McNeese, he poured in a game-high 19 points, including the game-winning three pointer with three seconds remaining. Ricks followed it up with a 22-point performance in a 75-72 victory over Southeastern Louisiana to secure the program’s first-ever win in Hammond and second-ever win against the Lions.

Ricks and the Wildcats (14-3, 3-1 Southland) return to Moody Coliseum to host Houston Baptist (5-9, 1-2 Southland) at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Northwestern State (7-10, 2-2 Southland) at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Men’s Basketball Player of the Week – Payten Ricks, Abilene Christian – Jr. – Guard – Wichita, Kan.

Against McNeese, Ricks tied his single-game career highs with five made three-pointers and six assists, with his final one leading to a Jaren Lewis layup that halted a four-point run and put the game out of reach for the Cowboys. 

On Saturday, Ricks played a vital role in improving the Wildcats’ road mark to 5-3, converting all four attempts from beyond the arc, including the game-winner. His 22 points were the second-most in a game in his career.

This is Ricks’ first Southland Conference Player of the Week award, joining teammate Jaren Lewis, who claimed two of the first three honors of the 2018-19 season.

Honorable Mention: Cameron Delaney, Sam Houston State; Brandon Moore, Nicholls; Thatch Unruh, Central Arkansas

Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.