Fort Hays State sophomore guard Craig Nicholson was named the MIAA Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week on Monday (Nov. 11) for his performance in Fort Hays State’s two season opening wins this past weekend (Nov. 9-10) in Minnesota.

Nicholson had a huge opening weekend, averaging a double-double in points (24.5) and assists (10.0). In the season opener at Southwest Minnesota State, Nicholson scored a career-high 29 points and dished out 11 assists (one shy of his career high), helping the Tigers to an 89-72 win. He went 14-of-15 at the free-throw line in that game, making his first 12 attempts. Nine of his 11 assists in the game were on 3-point field goals, helping the Tigers shoot 72.2 percent beyond the arc as a team (13-of-18). He was just two rebounds shy of a triple-double, recording a team-high eight.

Nicholson capped the weekend with 20 points and nine assists in the 97-90 overtime win over Upper Iowa. He did the majority of his damage at the free-throw line, where he went 12-of-14 and was perfect beyond the 3-point line (2-of-2).

He finished the weekend a perfect 3-of-3 beyond the 3-point line and shot 89.7 percent at the free-throw line (26-of-29). He also averaged 5.0 rebounds for the week.

— FHSU Sports Information —