LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University junior Vernon Payne is the Mid-South Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, conference officials announced on Monday.

The MSC weekly honor is Payne's first this season and of his career.

The Fayetteville, N.C. forward averaged 20.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in three Campbellsville wins last week.

Payne opened the week with a career-high 40 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Tigers' 95-83 win over non-conference foe West Virginia Tech. He connected on 15-of-21 from the field while making all eight of his free throws.

On Thursday, Payne and the Tigers stepped back into Mid-South play with a 67-57 win at Cumberland. In 23 minutes of play, Payne scored seven points, pulled down nine rebounds and finished with three steals.

Payne helped the Tigers complete the three-game sweep of the week with a double-double in a 69-53 win at Cumberlands on Saturday. He ended the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Tigers won their fourth straight game.

Payne concluded the week shooting 63.9 percent (23-of-36) from the field and 50 percent (2-of-4) from 3-point range.

Payne ranks seventh in the Mid-South in scoring (16.8) and sixth in rebounding (6.8) this season. He is second in the conference and fifth in the NAIA in field goal shooting at 59.8 percent.

Campbellsville improves to 16-9 overall and 9-6 in the Mid-South Conference.

The next men's basketball player of the week award is scheduled to be announced on Monday, Feb. 18.

Courtesy of Chris Megginson

campbellsvilletigers.com