Phil Martin (Staten Island, N.Y./NE Oklahoma) helped UC Riverside to back-to-back conference wins for the first time this season, logging a pair of 20-plus point performances to capture his first career Big West Men's Basketball Player of the Week honor.

Martin was the leading scorer for the Highlanders in wins against Cal State Northridge (73-70) and Cal State Fullerton (70-69).  He scored 34.3 percent of the team's points for the week.  The junior shot 47.2% (17 of 36) from the floor, including 62.5% (5 of 8) from three-point territory.  He also connected on all 10 free throw attempts.

Against the Matadors, Martin posted 23 points on 8 of 17 shooting and 6 of 6 from the line.  He led the Highlanders to their first win against CSUN in the Student Recreation Center since Jan. 5, 2003.

He scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half against the Titans, including 11 straight during a 16-0 UCR spurt that transformed a 9-point deficit into a 7-point lead.  Martin drained four of his five three-point tries while adding eight rebounds.

Martin helped UCR to its third conference road win which tied a program record.  His play also helped the Highlanders snap a four-game losing streak.

He has not missed a free throw since January 8, making 20 straight during that time frame.

Others nominated:  Shawn Lewis (Cal Poly); Lenny Daniel (Cal State Northridge); Orlando Johnson (UC Santa Barbara)