Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Men's Basketball team needed two wins in the final week to secure the #3 seed, and they did just that taking down Point Park and West Liberty. On Monday, the Mountain East Conference (MEC) released their Player of the Week honors, presented by The Healthplan, and it was the Cardinal's offensive leader that took home the award. Junior Tee Harris Jr. Was named the MEC's Men's Basketball Player of the Week, after leading the Cardinal's offensive push throughout the week.
Across the two games, Harris finished with 61 points, breaking his career high in scoring twice during the week, while shooting an impressive 27-42 (64.2%) from the floor. He shot 55% or better in each of the two games, making double digit field goals in each of the two outings. Along with his offensive success, Harris made his presence known on the defensive side of the ball, finishing with 19 rebounds and one block to round out the week. He played a big presence on the defensive glass, with 12 of his 19 rebounds coming on the defensive end, to get the Cardinal offense back on the floor. The other seven rebounds came on the offensive side of the ball, as he helped the Cardinals rack up the second chance points.
His biggest performance of the week came in the win against West Liberty, where Harris set his second career high of the week. He would put up 35 point in the winning effort over the Hilltoppers, and finished one rebound shy of a double-double. It was his most efficient game from the floor, shooting 69.6% (16-23) that included a 2-5 mark from beyond the arc. Wheeling would score 46 points in the paint in the game, with over half of those points coming courtesy of Harris. He would start the week with his fifth double-double of the season against Point Park, when he put up 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the effort. At the time, it was a new career-high for the junior, which he would quickly reset in the regular season finale against West Liberty.
With Harris earning the MEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors, the Wheeling Athletic Department has now had 35 student-athletes earn Conference Player of the Week honors this season. Harris is the third Wheeling Men's Basketball player to be recognized, joining teammates Caleb Murray, who has earned the honor twice this season, and Ayden Goll. He is the second Cardinal student-athlete to be honored this week, with Wheeling Baseball player Luke Meyer being named the MEC Baseball Hitter of the Week.
The Wheeling University Men's Basketball team returns to action on Friday, March 6th, when they take on #6 seeded Concord at 2:30 PM.
