Ben Sheppard Named MVC Player of the Week

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball senior Ben Sheppard has been named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
 
Sheppard averaged 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game this past week as Belmont remained in a tie for first place in the conference standings.
 
Sheppard had a season-high 35 points on 12-for-21 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds at Murray State, threatening the CFSB Center scoring record. He had 17 points and three steals vs. Illinois State.
 
For the week, Sheppard shot 56 percent from the field, 46 percent from 3-point distance and 80 percent from the free throw line.
 
Sheppard has scored 164 points over his last seven games on 55 percent shooting.
 
The Atlanta, Georgia native ranks among MVC leaders in 18 statistical categories, including first in total points and points per game.
 
The senior has 67 double figure scoring games and is on the Lou Henson Player of the Year Award Watch List.

Sheppard becomes the first three-time recipient of MVC Player of the Week honors this season.

Belmont (17-8, 10-4 MVC) returns to game action Wednesday at Missouri State.

Belmont University men's basketball has earned postseason invitations 15 of the last 17 seasons, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 12 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, Oregon). Belmont is one of only five NCAA Division I programs outside the Power 5 to post Top 100 rankings 12 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Saint Mary's (CA), San Diego State, Wichita State). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence