KHEM BIRCH NAMED MW PLAYER OF THE WEEK
UNLV junior forward averaged a double-double of 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while leading the Runnin’ Rebels to two victories last week
UNLV junior Khem Birch has been named the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for games through Sunday, March 2, the league announced Monday. This is the first career MW weekly accolade for Birch and the second for a Runnin’ Rebel player this season.
Birch, 6-9 forward from Montreal, Quebec, led the Runnin’ Rebels to two victories last week: 78-70 over Colorado State at home on Wednesday and 93-67 at Air Force on Saturday. He averaged a double-double for the week, while shooting almost 70 percent from the field (9-for-13, .692). He averaged 11.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg, while blocking a total of six shots, handing out two assists and grabbing one steal. Ten of his 23 rebounds during the week were on the offensive glass. He averaged 29.0 minutes played per game.
Against CSU, Birch scored eight points and had nine rebounds (six offensive) in 30 minutes of action. He was 3-for-6 from the field, 2-for-3 from the free-throw line and had two blocks and an assist.
At Air Force, he recorded his 15th double-double of the year, which ranks seventh in the country, with 15 points and 14 rebounds. He was 6-for-7 from the field and had four blocks with a steal and an assist in 28 minutes. He was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the first half with 12 points and six rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.
UNLV will host No. 10 San Diego State on Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. in its regular-season home finale. The game will be the annual Senior Night “White Out” and also is “Vegas Night.” Tickets may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com, by calling 739-FANS or at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office.