Feb. 20, 2006
Normal, Ill. -
Roberto Fortes' torrid shooting and offensive prowess during Illinois State's two games last week landed the junior Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honors on Monday. Fortes became the first Redbird to win a conference player of the week honor this season.
Fortes entered the week averaging 2.2 points on the season and totaling 40 points for the year, but that proved to be a flaw of averages, as Fortes torched the twine with 13 three-pointers and fired in 45 points in two games last week. He dropped in 22 points in a 58-56 overtime win against Drake, where he was 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. At Miami (Ohio), he improved his point total by one with a career-high 23 tallies, which included a 7-for-11 effort on threes, in the Redbirds' 51-49 loss.
During the seven-day span, Fortes shot 61.9 percent (13-for-21) on treys and 55.6 percent from the floor (15-for-27), while averaging 22.5 points per game.
