March 3, 2008

FRISCO, Tex. - After leading the Colonels to a 2-0 record last week, junior Ryan Bathie was named the Southland Conference Player of the Week by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Bathie was instrumental in the wins as he was the high scorer in both contests with 25 against Northwestern State and 19 at Central Arkansas. In the game against the Bears, he made his 200th and 201st career three-pointer to make him only the sixth player in SLC history to reach the 200 milestone.

It is also the first time since Jan. 6, 2006 that a Nicholls men's basketball player has garnered the award. Former Colonel Stefan Blaszczynski received the honor after helping Nicholls defeat Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State in the same week during the 2005-06 season.

The release from the conference follows.

Southland Conference Announces Men's Basketball Player Of The Week

FRISCO, Texas - After helping Nicholls State to a 2-0 record last week, Ryan Bathie has been named this week's Southland Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week. It is his first career honor and he becomes the first Colonel to win Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors since Stefan Blaszczynski on Jan. 9, 2006.

Bathie led the Colonels to a 2-0 record last week in conference play by averaging 22.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last week. Against Northwestern State on Thursday, he scored 25 points, shooting 9-of-19 from the floor and 7-of-14 from three point range. Bathie also led Nicholls in scoring with 19 points at Central Arkansas on Saturday, and although he only went 3-of-5 from three-point range, it was enough to give him 201 career three-pointers, as he is only the sixth player in league history to record 200 career three point baskets

For the week, Bathie shot 50 percent (16-of-32) from field goal range and 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from three-point land.

Honorable Mention: Kleon Penn, McNeese State, Anthony Vereen, UT Arlington, Kevyn Green, Southeastern La., Ryan Bright, Sam Houston State, Josh Alexander, Stephen F. Austin

######