Junior Guard Rian Pearson Named MAC West Division Player of Week - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Junior Guard Rian Pearson Named MAC West Division Player of Week

TOLEDO - Junior guard Rian Pearson has been named Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. Pearson, who is being honored for the second time this season and fifth occasion in his career, nearly recorded his first double-double of the season with 22 points and nine rebounds to help the Rockets post their first road win of the season with a 67-59 win at Eastern Illinois.

Pearson led Toledo for the week with 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and also dished out 2.5 assists per game while registering an impressive 59.3 FG%. Pearson was extremely efficient in UT's win over the Panthers, knocking down 9-of-12 shots and scoring 16 second-half points to help the Rockets pull away from EIU. In Toledo's 79-73 loss at Detroit on Wednesday, Pearson tallied 19 points and eight rebounds against the defending Horizon League Tournament champion Titans.

The Raytown, MO native leads the MAC with 19.2 ppg and also appears in the league rankings in minutes played (33.8/3rd), steals (1.89 spg/T-6th), defensive rebounds (4.33 rpg/8th), rebounds (6.2 rpg/10th), field-goal percentage (48.0%/12th) and offensive rebounds (1.89 rpg/15th).

Toledo will take this week off for finals and will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 18 with an exhibition contest vs. Siena Heights. Tip-off time from Savage Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.