Manuel earns Big Sky Player-of-the-Week recognition
1/7/2020 12:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FARMINGTON, Utah – For the second consecutive week, a Montana Grizzly was named the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Ready Nutrition Player of the Week. Senior Kendal Manuel was announced as this week's winner on Tuesday.
Manuel averaged 23.5 points per game across two road contests, including a win at Southern Utah that makes Montana the only team currently with three Big Sky victories. In addition to leading the Grizzlies for scoring on the week, he was also the team's top rebounder (6.0 per game) and swiped a team-most four passes.
The veteran from Billings, Montana, who began his career in the Pac-12, transferred to Montana in 2018-19 and made an immediate impact. He was one of the league's top shooters, ranking sixth in the Big Sky from three-point range, while being named the Big Sky's Newcomer of the Year and Top Reserve. Manuel, though, had a tough start to his senior season. After hitting at a .431 clip from deep in 2018-19, Manuel dropped to .256 through his first 13 games of 2019-20.
Starting with last week's performances, though, the momentum could be shifting. Manuel made 6-of-9 three-point attempts, and despite shooting nearly one-third of his shots from beyond the arc, Manuel still shot .633 overall on the week (19-of-30).
Two nights earlier, Montana earned a road win at Southern Utah, handing the Thunderbirds their first home loss of the season. Manuel scored 17 points, including two second-half three-pointers that extended the Grizzlies' lead after Southern Utah had cut the score to a single possession.
Through two weeks of Big Sky play, Manuel ranks third for scoring, fourth for three-pointers made, and 11th for steals. He is the only player with 30 points in a league game this season.
Manuel averaged 23.5 points per game across two road contests, including a win at Southern Utah that makes Montana the only team currently with three Big Sky victories. In addition to leading the Grizzlies for scoring on the week, he was also the team's top rebounder (6.0 per game) and swiped a team-most four passes.
The veteran from Billings, Montana, who began his career in the Pac-12, transferred to Montana in 2018-19 and made an immediate impact. He was one of the league's top shooters, ranking sixth in the Big Sky from three-point range, while being named the Big Sky's Newcomer of the Year and Top Reserve. Manuel, though, had a tough start to his senior season. After hitting at a .431 clip from deep in 2018-19, Manuel dropped to .256 through his first 13 games of 2019-20.
Starting with last week's performances, though, the momentum could be shifting. Manuel made 6-of-9 three-point attempts, and despite shooting nearly one-third of his shots from beyond the arc, Manuel still shot .633 overall on the week (19-of-30).
At Northern Colorado, Manuel scored a career-high 30 points. He made 13-of-16 shots, including all three three-point attempts. His shots came at clutch times, too. Of his 13 makes, seven either gave Montana the lead, tied the game or cut the deficit to a single possession. Against the Bears, Manuel also led Montana for rebounding (six) and steals (three).A few of our favorite moments from @iAmKManWell's career night! The Billings native dropped 30 against the Bears!#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/yhGMRe4qh1
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) January 7, 2020
Two nights earlier, Montana earned a road win at Southern Utah, handing the Thunderbirds their first home loss of the season. Manuel scored 17 points, including two second-half three-pointers that extended the Grizzlies' lead after Southern Utah had cut the score to a single possession.
Through two weeks of Big Sky play, Manuel ranks third for scoring, fourth for three-pointers made, and 11th for steals. He is the only player with 30 points in a league game this season.
Players Mentioned
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