Orlando Johnson (Seaside, Calif./Loyola Marymount) spearheaded UC Santa Barbara's efforts in a key road sweep of northern California opponents Pacific and UC Davis to garner Big West Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors.

Johnson averaged 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game as the Gauchos pulled to within one-half game of league-leading Pacific in the Big West standings.  He also shot 48.0% (13 of 24) from the field and 82.4% (14 of 17) at the free throw line.

In the win over the Tigers, Johnson powered UCSB with a career high 28 of UCSB's 61 points as the Gauchos defeated the Tigers by 13 points.  The performance snapped Pacific's 16-game home court winning streak.  Johnson made 8 of 16 floor shots, including two three-pointers, and converted 10 of 12 from the line.  Johnson also tied for game-high rebounding honors with six while collecting a career-high three steals.

Johnson was instrumental in handing UC Davis its first Big West home loss in five tries, contributing 15 points, three assists and a career-high three blocked shots in an 81-77 triumph.  The sophomore was 5 of 8 from the field and 4 of 5 at the free throw line.

This is Johnson's first career Player of the Week award, and the first by a Gaucho since James Nunnally captured the final honor of the 2008-09 season on Mar. 9, 2009.

Others nominated:  Aaron Thompson (Cal State Fullerton); T.J. Robinson (Long Beach State); Dominic Calegari (UC Davis); Kyle Austin (UC Riverside)