The solid play of junior Cameron Holden caught the attention of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), as the 6-5, 200 pound forward earned the conference’s newcomer of the week honor.
Holden, a native of Forsyth, Georgia, has become the 26th player in UTM history to earn the honor, according to Sports Information. In Holden’s three contests last week, the forward came close to averaging a double-double with 12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Also impressive were his shooting numbers, sinking 50% (12-of-24) of his shots from the field. In addition to posting 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals over those three games, Holden shot 75% (12-for-16) from the charity stripe.
Holden’s hot streak began in the first game of a back-to-back with Austin Peay on Feb. 8. In game one, Holden recorded seven assists, including a crucial assist on a go-ahead, game-winning three by fellow junior forward Ajani Kennedy. Though Holden only managed four points, his five rebounds and one steal were crucial in securing a Skyhawk win.
In game two of the back-to-back on Feb. 11, Holden racked up a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds in only 17 minutes of playing time. Holden buried three of his four field goal attempts and went 8-of-11 on free throws in addition to a block and a steal. The Skyhawks lost that game by a score of 50-71.
The final matchup of the week was Holden’s best statistical performance of the three. The forward once again led the team in points (19) and rebounds (14), marking his fifth double-double of the season. Holden went 7-for-13 from the floor and recorded two steals and a blocked shot in a 55-84 Skyhawk defeat against Murray State on Feb. 13.
The first-year Skyhawk ranks top-10 in the OVC in offensive rebounding (4.0 per game, second place), total rebounding (7.8 per game, fourth place), steals per game (1.6 per game, ninth place) and scoring (14.4 per game, 10th), according to Sports Information.
UTM will have their two last home games of the season this week, with bouts against Eastern Kentucky (11-4 OVC) and Morehead State (13-3 OVC) scheduled at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center for Feb. 18 and 20, respectively.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
