Monday, January 10, 2011

Valparaiso forward Cory Johnson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East [Iowa State]) has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week after leading the Crusaders to a pair of wins last weekend as Valpo finished the weekend in a tie for first place in the league standings.

Johnson kicked off the weekend with his second-highest scoring output of the season, pouring in 26 points on 10-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free throw line Friday night in a 79-55 win over Youngstown State, doing his damage in just 25 minutes of playing time.  The fifth-year senior followed with 20 points in 29 minutes Sunday in a 64-58 victory over then-first place Cleveland State, scoring 14 of his points on 7-of-9 shooting in the second half to help the Crusaders overcome a halftime deficit.

For the week, Johnson averaged 23.0 points while also chipping in 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.  The senior connected on59.4% (19-of-32) of his field goal attempts and also knocked down 72.7% (8-of-11) from the free throw line.  On the year, Johnson currently ranks third in the league in scoring (16.7 ppg) and fourth in field goal percentage (52.4%). 

With the weekly honor from the league office, the first of his career, Johnson is now eligible for voting for ‘The People’s Choice’ on the Horizon League Network, with the poll available on the Horizon League website later today through Wednesday.  Johnson and the rest of the Crusaders return to the court Friday evening at Wright State at 6 p.m. CST, live on ESPN3.com.