March 7, 2011

Irvine, Calif. - Senior guard Devon Peltier today was selected the Big West Conference men's basketball player of the week.

The native of the Virgin Islands averaged 24 points in leading the Titans to a pair of road wins at Pacific and UC Davis in three days, matching their total of the previous 99 days of the season. He made 14 of 25 shots (.560) including 11 of 21 (.524) from the 3-point line and 9 of 10 at the foul line. His bucket with 3:37 to play put Fullerton ahead to stay in Saturday's win at Davis.

Over the last five games he has posted Josh Akognon-like numbers. He has averaged 25.6 points while shooting 55 percent from the floor including 53 percent from the 3-point line. His free-throw percentage actually has gone down. By making 22 of 25 (88 percent), his season's percentage has gone from .905 to .89999. He is threatening Akognon's school record of .89916 in a season. Peltier's number would be the fifth-best in Big West history if the season was over. His career mark of .871 would rank No. 4 in the Big West annals but still only No. 2 at Fullerton behind Akognon (.895).

Fullerton set season highs with 11 3-point baskets on Thursday and 12 on Saturday. Freshman teammate Isiah Umipig also had player-of-the-week numbers. In a starting role, he made 14 of 22 shots (.636) including 8 of 12 3-pointers (.667) on his way to games of 16 and 23 points, the latter a career high. In the first half at Davis he made all 7 shots, all 4 3-point tries and both free throw attempts for 20 points.

Peltier is only the second Titan to win the award this season. Orane Chin was honored for his play in wins over UCSB and Long Beach State on Jan. 19 and 22.