By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – After playing an instrumental role in Illinois State’s victories last week over No. 21 Wichita State (Feb. 6) and at Loyola (Feb. 3), sophomore forward Deontae Hawkins is the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Hawkins averaged a team-best 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game through ISU’s past two wins. He shot 10-for-21 (47.6 percent) from the field, 5-for-10 (50.0 percent) from beyond the arc, and a perfect 3-for-3 at the free throw line. The Dayton, Ohio, native, also collected two steals and one assist.
In ISU’s upset victory over No. 21 Wichita State, Hawkins recorded a double-double, with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, plus two steals, in 26 minutes. After Illinois State fell behind, 8-0, Hawkins broke the scoring drought with a 3-pointer at the 16:09 mark. Later in the first half, with Wichita State leading by 11 points, Hawkins forced a steal, resulting in a layup for teammate Paris Lee.
The Shockers went on to build a 16-point advantage, their largest lead of the game, early in the second half. However, Hawkins sparked a 23-4 Redbird run by burying a 3-pointer with 18:41 remaining. He then capped the run with another trifecta at the 9:33 mark to give Illinois State its first lead of the game. With ISU ahead by one point, Hawkins made two free throws. He then converted a three-point play with 3:31 to play, building a four-point advantage, and helping the Redbirds secure the upset win.
At Loyola, Hawkins also scored 14 points, shooting 6-for-9 (66.7 percent) from the field and 2-for-3 (66.7 percent) from beyond the arc, while also recording one assist. Hawkins netted eight first-half points, including a pair of jumpers in the final three minutes. In the second half, after the Ramblers built a nine-point advantage – their largest of the game – with 17:53 remaining, Hawkins made a 3-pointer to spark a 9-0 run, propelling ISU to a three-point lead. Then, with the Redbirds ahead by four points, Hawkins solidified the Redbird victory by burying a 3-pointer at the 3:10 mark, as ISU went on to win by seven.
Hawkins now leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and ranks third in scoring (10.6 ppg). He is the first Redbird to earn MVC Player of the Week accolades since Tyler Brown received the honor Feb. 11, 2013 following Illinois State’s win at No. 16 Creighton (Feb. 9).
After winning five of their last six games, Hawkins and the Redbirds next travel to Evansville, Indiana, for an 8 p.m. CT matchup Thursday, Feb. 11 with the Purple Aces, live on CBS Sports Network. ISU and UE enter the game tied for second place in the league standings, each with 8-4 MVC records.
