NAU's Saldivar Honored

12/19/2011 3:20:04 PM

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OGDEN, UTAH (Dec. 19, 2011) - Northern Arizona’s Stallon Saldivar has been selected as the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Player of the Week after leading the Lumberjacks to an upset of Arizona State.

Saldivar, a 6-foot, 185-pound junior point guard from Salt Lake City, Utah, scored a career-high 24 points with nine assists and five rebounds. Saldivar hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in the 69-68 upset of the Pac-12 Sun Devils.

“I told Stallon that I would like for him to make a statement tonight because we think that he can certainly be recognized as one of the better point guards with his smarts and his ability to run his team,” said Interim Coach Dave Brown after the game.

Saldivar made a career-high six 3-pointers, playing the entire 40 minutes. He made 7-of-12 shots from the floor, was 6-of-8 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He committed just two turnovers.

“Once I made that first one, it’s kind of a confidence thing,” said Saldivar. “When you get that first one to hit nothing but net, for any shooter really it’s a confidence thing, and I just felt it today.”

Also on Monday, Saldivar was named the National Mid-Major Men’s Basketball Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, and was named a candidate for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award.

Others Nominated

Collin Chiverton, G, Eastern Washington: Averaged 20.5 points in a win and a loss.

Chase Grabau, G, Idaho State: Scored 11 points with six rebounds, four assists and three steals in a loss.

Will Cherry, G, Montana: Scored 20 points with nine rebounds in a win over Portland.

Tate Unruh, G, Northern Colorado: Averaged 22 points per game in two losses.

Chehales Tapscott, F, Portland State: Averaged 15 points and eight rebounds in two games.

Heath Hoffman, F, Sacramento State: Scored 19 points in a win.

Scott Bamforth, G, Weber State: Scored 19 points in a loss.