RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky University junior center Alonzo Hird has been named Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for his efforts in games last week vs. Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois.

Hird, 6-9, 205-pound native of Deland, FL, turned in his best week of the season, scoring 32 points and pulling down 19 rebounds in EKU's two important OVC wins.

In the win over the Redhawks, Hird collected his third double-double of the year, scoring 12 points and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds. Against EIU, Hird scored a game-high 20 points and added eight rebounds to the victory over the Panthers.

For the week, Hird hit 15-22 field goal attempts (68.2 percent) and also blocked three shots.

"Alonzo is proving he is one of the better big men in our conference," said EKU head coach Travis Ford. "He has done a good job all season long in rebounding and blocking shots.

"Lately, he has given us an added benefit with his low-post scoring. We have been wanting him to concentrate on playing more consistently.

"Alonzo can have a huge effect on a basketball game when he plays to his strengths, which he has been doing lately."

Hird is averaging 9.4 points and is tied for the team lead in rebounding with senior forward Michael Haney with his 8.0 per game average. He also leads the club in field goal percentage with his 65.0 mark and in blocked shots with 37.

EKU travels to Morehead State Tuesday (Feb. 22) for a 7:07 p.m. EST contest with the Eagles which will be televised live by WYMT-TV in Hazard and will be picked up and shown live on the Adelphia Cable TV system of Richmond on channel 99, UPN.