Cleveland Named Conference USA Player of the Week
2/5/2024 2:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Conference USA Release
LYNCHBURG, Va. – After strong performances in two league games at New Mexico State and UTEP, Liberty sophomore Zach Cleveland has been named the Conference USA Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the first time.
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Cleveland is the second CUSA Player of the Week of the season for the Flames, joining Kyle Rode. Rode earned the recognition on Nov. 13. This is Cleveland's first career conference player of the week honor.
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Cleveland, a forward from Bloomington, Ill., had a big week for Liberty in a pair of road games at New Mexico State and UTEP, averaging 20.5 points 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. The sophomore also shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the field and 77.3 percent (17-of-22) from the foul line.
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In Thursday night's game against the Aggies, Cleveland matched a career high with 23 points and eight boards, seven assists, three steals (matched career high) and two blocks. He was also 11-of-13 from the free throw line, with the 11 makes establishing a new career high. Cleveland also shot 60 percent (6-of-10) from the floor. He led the Flames in points, rebounds (tied), assists, steals and blocks in the contest.
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In Saturday night's 67-65 triumph at UTEP, Cleveland tallied 18 points, a team-high seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks. The forward was also 6-of-9 from the field and 6-of-9 at the foul line on the night.
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Cleveland scored the go-ahead bucket to put the Flames ahead for good, 55-54, with 5:59 remaining. He added another layup during Liberty's 9-0 run that put the Flames ahead 59-54.
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In 23 games this season, all starts, Cleveland is averaging 12.2 ppg (third on team), 6.0 rpg (second on team) and 4.0 apg (second on team) while shooting 61.5 percent from the field. He is one of four players in the country with 280+ points, 135+ rebounds, 90+ assists and 20+ blocks.
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Cleveland and the Flames (14-9, 3-5 CUSA) will face Middle Tennessee (8-14, 2-5 CUSA) on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Tip time is 7 p.m. at Liberty Arena, and the contest can be seen on ESPN+.
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LYNCHBURG, Va. – After strong performances in two league games at New Mexico State and UTEP, Liberty sophomore Zach Cleveland has been named the Conference USA Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the first time.
    Â
Cleveland is the second CUSA Player of the Week of the season for the Flames, joining Kyle Rode. Rode earned the recognition on Nov. 13. This is Cleveland's first career conference player of the week honor.
    Â
Cleveland, a forward from Bloomington, Ill., had a big week for Liberty in a pair of road games at New Mexico State and UTEP, averaging 20.5 points 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. The sophomore also shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the field and 77.3 percent (17-of-22) from the foul line.
    Â
In Thursday night's game against the Aggies, Cleveland matched a career high with 23 points and eight boards, seven assists, three steals (matched career high) and two blocks. He was also 11-of-13 from the free throw line, with the 11 makes establishing a new career high. Cleveland also shot 60 percent (6-of-10) from the floor. He led the Flames in points, rebounds (tied), assists, steals and blocks in the contest.
    Â
In Saturday night's 67-65 triumph at UTEP, Cleveland tallied 18 points, a team-high seven assists, three rebounds and two blocks. The forward was also 6-of-9 from the field and 6-of-9 at the foul line on the night.
    Â
Cleveland scored the go-ahead bucket to put the Flames ahead for good, 55-54, with 5:59 remaining. He added another layup during Liberty's 9-0 run that put the Flames ahead 59-54.
    Â
In 23 games this season, all starts, Cleveland is averaging 12.2 ppg (third on team), 6.0 rpg (second on team) and 4.0 apg (second on team) while shooting 61.5 percent from the field. He is one of four players in the country with 280+ points, 135+ rebounds, 90+ assists and 20+ blocks.
    Â
Cleveland and the Flames (14-9, 3-5 CUSA) will face Middle Tennessee (8-14, 2-5 CUSA) on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Tip time is 7 p.m. at Liberty Arena, and the contest can be seen on ESPN+.
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Big two games for @ConferenceUSA Player of the Week @Zachcleve33!??
— Liberty Men's Basketball (@LibertyMBB) February 5, 2024
?? 20.5 PPG
?? 7.0 APG
?? 5.5 RPG
?? 2.0 BPG
?? 1.5 SPG
?? 63.2% FG
?? 77.3% FT
??: https://t.co/FYlLeMUZ2p pic.twitter.com/Ex0M99ivvL
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