Chaminade's Mohamed Tangara earns PacWest award

Chaminade's Mohamed Tangara earns PacWest accolades

QUEEN CREEK, AZ - Chaminade senior center Mohamed Tangara (Bamako, Mali) led the Silverswords to a pair of road conference victories by averaging a double-double, claiming the Pacific West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week award.

The honor was announced on Monday, Jan. 12, by the PacWest Media Office in Queen Creek, AZ, for games played from Jan. 5-11.

Tangara averaged 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as the Silverswords knocked off NDNU and Grand Canyon, the latter in double-overtime. He shot 60.9% from the field (14 for 23) and averaged 2.00 blocks per game. He led the PacWest in blocks and rebounding for the week, while his scoring and shooting average each ranked fourth.

PacWest Men's Basketball Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll

Trenson Akana - BYU-Hawaii (Sr., G, 5-10, 170, Kaunakaka‘i, HI/Moloka‘i)...averaged 14.7 points per game in a 3-0 week for BYU-Hawaii...ranked seventh in scoring...shot 80% from the line (8 for 10)...ranked sixth in foul shooting for the week in the PacWest...ranked second in three-point shooting (53.3%)...was 8 for 15...averaged 2.67 three-pointers made per game.

Lucas Alves (photo) - BYU-Hawaii (Jr., F/C, 6-9, 230, Casa Branca, Brazil)...averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in a 3-0 week for the Seasiders...led BYU-Hawaii to pair of PacWest victories...ranked sixth in scoring and tied for second in rebounding in PacWest for the week...shot 78.9% from the line (15 for 19).

Virgil Buensuceso - BYU-Hawaii (Jr., G, 5-9, 170, Eagle Rock, CA/Eagle Rock)...averaged 10.7 points and 6.00 assists per game in a 3-0 week for the Seasiders...also averaged 1.67 three-pointers made per game...led PacWest in assist average for the week...ranked 10th for the week in shooting from the field (57.1%)...made 12 of 21 field goal attempts.

Jamar Berry - Chaminade (Jr., G, 6-4, 190, Tacoma, WA/Franklin)...averaged 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest in a 2-0 week for the Silverswords...led the PacWest in steals for the week with a 2.50 per game average...ranked fourth in rebounding for the week.

Eric Cuen - Grand Canyon (Jr., F, 6-5, 190, Somerton, AZ/Yuma Catholic)...scored 22 points and collected six boards in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss vs. Chaminade on Jan. 9...also posted three assists, two steals and a trio of three-pointers...shot 88.9% from the field (8 for 9) and was perfect from beyond the arc (3 for 3).

Jay DeMaestri - Hawai‘i Hilo (Sr., F, 6-6, 240, Mill Valley, CA/Tam)...averaged 14.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in a 1-2 week for the Vulcans...ranked second in rebounding average and 10th in scoring...shot 42.1% from three-point land (8 for 19)...averaged 2.67 three-pointers made per game.

Rishi Kakad (photo) - Hawai‘i Pacific (Jr., G, 6-2, 185, Phoenix, AZ/Horizon)...reeled off 23 points on Jan. 10 in lone game of the week - loss vs. BYU-Hawaii...hit 4 of 5 foul shots.

Brandon McGruder - Grand Canyon (Jr., G, 6-2, 185, Omaha, NE/Bryan)...exploded for 27 points in double-overtime loss vs. Chaminade on Jan. 9...handed out four assists and made five three-pointers...was 4 for 4 from the line.

Nathan Sims - BYU-Hawaii (Sr., G/F, 6-3, 200, Sky Valley/Desert Hot Springs)...averaged 14.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in a 3-0 week for the Seasiders...led BYU-Hawaii to a pair of PacWest victories...ranked seventh in scoring and ninth in rebounding...shot 62.5% from the field (15 for 24)...ranked third in shooting for the week.

John Smith - Hawai‘i Hilo (Sr., G, 6-2, 165, Berkely, CA/Pinole Valley)...averaged 17.7 points and 3.67 assists per game over three contests...hit 8 of 9 foul shots (88.9%)...shot 47.4% from three-point land (9 for 19)...averaged 3.00 three-pointers made per game...ranked fifth in assists and scoring, fourth in free throw shooting, third in three-point percentage and second in three-pointers made per game for the week in the PacWest.