Feb. 26, 2007
ST. LOUIS -
For the second straight week and for the seventh time this season, a member of the Illinois State basketball team was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week when Osiris Eldridge received the honor on Monday. It was the first time Eldridge received the award this season.
The Redbird freshman finished his first collegiate regular season by averaging 13 points and 4.5 rebounds over two games last week, including an 18-point performance in Illinois State's 65-55 win over Creighton. All 18 of Eldridge's points came in the second half and keyed the victory over the Bluejays.
He also shot 41.2 percent from the floor on 7-for-17 shooting, 40 percent on threes (4-for-10) and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line for the week.
Eldridge and the rest of the Redbirds return to action on Thursday when Illinois State faces Indiana State at 8:35 p.m. at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
