Keenon Cole scored a career-high 42 points in Lindenwood’s 74-68 win over SEMO last Thursday. (Image courtesy: Lindenwood Athletics)

DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

The Ohio Valley Conference has announced on Thursday that Lindenwood University senior Keenon Cole has been selected as the men’s basketball Player of the Week, following his dynamic play in the Lions’ two games last week.

In a thrilling win over Southeast Missouri State last Thursday, and a tight loss at Tennessee State on Saturday, Cole scored a combined 62 points, with a career-high 42 coming in the game at SEMO.

In that victory, Cole propelled the Lions to their first OVC win of the season with a 74-68 win over the Redhawks. Cole’s 42 points are currently the most by an Division I player this season. He also became the first player in Lindenwood’s Division I history to score over 40.

The last player to score over 40 points in program history was TJ Crockett back during the 2020-21 season. Cole became the first OVC player to score over 40 points since Tennessee State’s Jr Clay score 40 last season. Forty-two points is also the most by an OVC player since Terry Taylor scored 42 while at Austin Peay in 2019.

At Southeast Missouri, Cole went 13-23 from the field including hitting three triples. He also went 13-16 at the foul line including making his last 10 there. Cole grabbed 11 boards as well for his second double-double of the season. He followed that performance with 20 points in a loss at Tennessee State.

Through two games this week, Cole averaged 31.0 points per game while grabbing 7.0 rebounds and shooting 50.0% from the field. He also went 27-31 from the foul line. He currently ranks second in scoring in the OVC averaged 18.9 ppg. He also is tied for the lead in foul shots made with 91.

This week, the 7-10 Lions will be home for two games at Hyland Arena. On Thursday, they’ll host SIU-Edwardsville at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, they’ll play Eastern Illinois at 3:30 p.m.

Others Nominated: Riley Minix, Morehead State; Josh Earley, Southeast Missouri; Damarco Minor, SIUE; AJ Smith, Southern Indiana; Jayvis Harvey, Tennessee Tech; Jacob Crews, UT Martin; Quinlan Bennett, Western Illinois.
 
NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Crews, G/F • 6-8, 210, Jr. • Hilliard, Fla. • UT Martin
In a pair of home games Crews averaged 28.0 points and 8.5 rebounds/game while hitting 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the field, 50 percent (7-of-14) from 3-point range and 86.4 percent (19-of-22) from the free throw line. Crews scored a career-high 35 points in Saturday’s 77-72 victory over Little Rock. After the Trojans led by five points in the second half, Crews scored 10 points during a crucial 14-0 Skyhawk run that flipped the momentum. He also added seven rebounds in the win. He opened the week with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against OVC leader Western Illinois. It marked his fifth double-double of the season. Among OVC players, Crews ranks second in 3-point percentage (43.6%) and 3-pointers made (2.8/game), third in scoring (18.1), fifth in field goal percentage (50.5%) and sixth in rebounding (8.2).
 
Others Nominated: Tiger Booker, Eastern Illinois; Darius Beane, Lindenwood; Riley Minix, Morehead State; Daniel Egbuniwe, Tennessee Tech; Drew Cisse, Western Illinois.
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Jaylen Jones, G • 6-1, 160, Fr. • Nashville, Tenn. • Tennessee State
Jones came off the bench and finished with 12 points over 27 minutes of action to help Tennessee State to a 76-60 win over Lindenwood. The guard also added two five rebounds and two assists. His 12-point game marks his 13th double-digit scoring performance of the season. Jones has been named OVC Freshman of the Week four times this year.

This Week’s Schedule
Thursday, January 18
*Tennessee-Martin at Morehead State, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*SIUE at Lindenwood, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Little Rock at Southern Indiana, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Saturday, January 20
*Tennessee State at Western Illinois, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Eastern Illinois at Lindenwood, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Morehead State at Southern Indiana, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
*SIUE at SEMO, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN+)