Valparaiso redshirt junior guard Brandon Wood (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo [Highland C.C./Southern Illinois]) was named Horizon League Player of the Week for the second time this year after leading the Crusaders in scoring last week as they ascended into solo first place at the weekend’s conclusion.

Wood opened the weekend by scoring 26 points at Wright State, including 24 in a monster 12-minute stretch spanning the two halves.  The junior went 10-of-11 from the floor during the stretch as the Crusaders turned a 12-point deficit into a six-point lead in an eventual 71-60 Valpo victory.

Wood then helped make sure there would be no significant deficit to overcome at Detroit on Sunday, scoring 10 of his team-high 17 points in the first nine minutes as the Crusaders claimed an early double-digit edge en route to a 78-68 victory that kept them atop the league table.  The junior also set a career high on the defensive end with four steals as well against the Titans.

For the week, Wood averaged 21.5 ppg on 61.3% shooting from the floor and 50.0% shooting from the 3-point line.  The junior, who previously was named the league’s Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 27, now leads the Crusaders and ranks fourth in the league, averaging 16.1 ppg on the season.  With the weekly honor from the league office, Wood is now eligible for voting for ‘The People’s Choice’ on the Horizon League Network, with the poll available on the Horizon League website Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening.