Josh Ritchart (Auburn, Calif./Forest Lake Christian HS) led UC Davis to an upset win over the league’s second place team en route to Big West Men’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades.

The sophomore led the Aggies with 20 points in a 78-75 win over the Titans, which entered the game 19-7 overall and 10-3 in Big West play.  Ritchart added eight rebounds, four steals, two blocked shots and a pair of steals as the Aggies won for the fourth time in six games after an 18-game losing skid.

Ritchart made three of his four three-pointers in the first half, including one early on when UC Davis rushed out to a 12-0 advantage.  He also hit 6 of 7 free throws in a game in which UCD never trailed.  The eight boards helped the Aggies outrebound the Titans by a 45-33 margin, their largest edge on the glass this season.

Ritchart was instrumental in preserving the victory when he blocked an Isiah Umipig shot with 11 seconds remaining and the Aggies clinging to a 76-73 lead.

In a 73-59 non-conference loss at Seattle on Monday, Ritchart posted his second career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.  He canned four three-pointers in that game as well.  The 12 caroms were just one off his career-high.

For the week, Ritchart averaged 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36.4% (8 of 22) from three-point territory.

Others nominated:  Casper Ware (Long Beach State); Adam Folker (UC Irvine)