Clark Named WCC Player Of The Week For Second Time This Season

Clark Named WCC Player Of The Week For Second Time This Season

Hitting back-to-back game-clinching free throws last weekend, senior guard Brandon Clark was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week on Monday.  It is the second time this season he has been named the league's player of the week, collecting the honors on Nov. 17, 2014 as well.

An 84.1 percent free throw shooter during his four year career as a Bronco, Clark hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left to ice the game vs. LMU on Jan. 22.  He then added three free throws in the final 16 seconds of the Pepperdine victory on Jan. 24.  Clark scored a WCC season-high 29 points vs. LMU and added 13 vs. Pepperdine.

In the two victories last weekend, which vaulted the Broncos' into a tie for third place, Clark played 37.5 mpg, averaged 21.0 ppg, shot 45.2 percent from the field and 83.2 percent from the free throw line (10 of 12).  He collected 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.0 spg. 

"We did a great job of executing and setting the tone last week," said Clark, a native of East Chicago, Ind.  "I played with a sense of urgency because I have to cherish every moment I have left of college basketball."

"Brandon stepped up his intensity and because of it, our whole team followed," said sophomore guard Jared Brownridge.  "Our team chemistry off the court is showing very well on the court.  Brandon always competes at a high level. His scoring and distributing was great in last week's conference play."

"Brandon did a great job of finding his rhythm early and sustaining it throughout the game," said senior guard Denzel Johnson. "He was our driving offensive force and constantly put pressure on the defense."

"I agree with Denzel and Jared - Brandon has been playing with a lot of confidence and passion to help lead us to a four-game winning streak which moves us up to third place in conference," said sophomore forward Nate Kratch.

Hitting 10 of 12 free throws last weekend, Clark is No. 3 all-time on the Bronco career list (362 of 431).  The school record is held by Steve Nash (86.1 percent, 1991-96) and Russ Vrankovich is No. 2 (85.8 percent, 1961-64).        

At No. 18 with 1,378 career points scored, Clark is just the sixth player in school history to score 1,350+ career points and dish out 365+ career assists (joining Kevin Foster, Brian Jones, Nash, Evan Roquemore and Kyle Bailey). Clark is tied for No. 10 on the career list with 122 games played (Brody Angley, 2004-08 and Mitch Burley, 1985-89); No. 10 with 148 threes made; No. 9 in threes attempted with 419; and No. 10 with 368 assists. 

Clark was named the WCC Player of the Week on Nov. 17, 2014.  He set a school record for points scored in a season opener with 31, including 15 of 16 from the line, in the Broncos' win vs. CSU Fullerton on Nov. 14.  He had four career bests on the weekend as well.  He was 15 of 16 from the free throw line vs. the Titans - marking a career best in makes and attempts. He is the only the seventh Bronco in school history to make 15+ free throws in a game.  He scored 21 points vs. SDC on Nov. 15, collecting a career-high nine assists.