Monday, December 27, 2010

Valparaiso redshirt junior guard Brandon Wood (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo [Highland C.C./Southern Illinois]) has been named the Horizon League Co-Player of the Week after scoring 56 points last week to help lead the Crusaders to the Lou Henson Award Tournament title.

Wood, who shares the weekly honors with Butler's Matt Howard, kicked off the week with a solid performance in the Crusaders' semifinal win over Eastern Michigan.  The junior poured in a then-season high 21 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and three steals in Valpo's 74-67 victory over the Eagles.

But that effort paled to his line the next night in the Crusaders' classic 103-102 win against host Oakland.  Wood connected on 12 of his 20 shots, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc, and also went 7-of-8 at the free throw line for a season-high 35 points, the best single-game effort by a league player this season.  The 35 points marked the second-best effort of his career, while his 12 field goals made also were the second most of his career.  He also grabbed a season-high and team-best seven rebounds in the win over the Grizzlies.

Wood was named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts over Valpo's two victories, averaging 28.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 61.3% from the floor, 55.6% from 3-point range and 81.3% from the free throw line.  Wood and the rest of the Crusaders return to action Tuesday at the ARC against Ball State at 7:05 p.m.