James Nunnally earns second Big West POW honor

Junior James Nunnally was named Big West Player of the Week for the second time this season after leading UCSB to a win at 22nd-ranked UNLV last week.

Nunnally scored a game-high 23 points and had seven rebounds in the win over the Rebels. He made 7-of-12 shots overall, 3-of-6 from three-point range and all six of his free throws. Nunnally made the six free throws in the second half with four coming in the waning seconds. 

"James was outstanding and that was a big win for us," said UCSB head coach Bob Williams. "He is very deserving of the award." 

On Saturday at 7th-ranked San Diego State, the native of Stockton, Calif., had 15 points and three rebounds. 

Nunnally previously earned Big West Player of the Week honors after leading the Gauchos to wins over Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara. Against LMU he had a career-high 29 points and three days later he had a career-high 34 against Santa Clara.

Four Bay Area, Nor Cal players picked for Big West Conference honors

The Rush The Court site offers up a Big West Conference preview and here are the Bay Area highlights:

Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally (both at UC Santa Barbara) are named to the All Conference team, Mark Payne (UC Davis) as the Sixth Man and Kareem Nitoto (UC Riverside) as the Impact Newcomer.

Orlando Johnson named Big West POY

Former West Valley Basketball Club member Orlando Johnson, now in his second season at UC Santa Barbara (he redshirted last year), was recently named Player of the Year in the Big West Conference.

From the Santa Barbara basketball site:

"...A transfer from Loyola Marymount, Johnson enters the Big West Tournament leading UCSB and the conference in scoring at 18.0 points per game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 48.5% overall and 39.6% from 3-point range. A two-time Big West Player of the Week, Johnson is the first Gaucho since 1996-97 to score in double-figures in every regular season game. In addition, the 6-foot-5 native of Seaside, Calif., has scored 20 or more points nine times and he has two double-doubles..."