ST. LOUIS – Illinois State junior Josiah Strong has been named the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Newcomer of the Week for the opening weekend of NCAA play.
Strong, a transfer from Iowa Western College, averaged 18.0 points per game over the two games for the Redbirds, which is tied for the second-highest scoring average in the MVC through the opening weekend. He made 11-of-25 shots over the two games, a percentage of 44.0, and converted on 6-of-13 (46.2%) from long range. He ended the week a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line, ranking 15th in the country in free throw percentage in terms of percentage and number of makes.
The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, native opened the week with 15 points against #23 Ohio State as he converted on 5-of-11 shots from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also added two assists and two blocked shots against the Buckeyes. Three days later in a 10-point win over UMass Lowell, Strong made 6-of-14 shots from the field, 3-of-8 from beyond the arc and all six of his free throw tries for a career-high 21 points. He also pulled down five rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Illinois State (1-1) returns to action on Wednesday, December 2, when the team hosts Greenville University in a 5 p.m. tip-off at Redbird Arena.
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