HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year Drew McDonald was named the league's player of the week following two sensational performances against Youngstown State and Cleveland State.
 
McDonald opened the weekend with a dominant showing against the Penguins. The junior forward posted a 26-point, 16-rebound effort in which he converted 9-of-11 shots, including 2-of-3 from three. He added three assists, three steals and two blocks in NKU's 95-85 victory.
 
The Cold Spring, Kentucky, native followed with 19 points, seven rebounds and career-high seven assists. McDonald shot 8-for-12 from the field, as the Norse rolled to a 78-61 triumph.
 
For the week, McDonald averaged a double-double of 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per outing. He shot an incredible 74 percent (17-fo-23) from the floor and 50 percent (3-of-6) from 3-point range, while also averaging five assists.
 
This is the fourth player of the week honor for McDonald in his career.  He earned recognition three times last season en route to being named a first-team all-league performer. Prior to the season starting, the league's coaches, sports information directors and members of the media voted McDonald as the league's preseason player of the year and member of the preseason first team.
 
McDonald is averaging 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in NKU's 24 outings, averages that rank sixth and second in the league, respectively. However, those numbers balloon to 18.2 points and 10.3 rebounds in the 12 league games, marks that rank third and first, respectively.
 
The Norse are 17-7 overall and their 10-2 Horizon League mark has them tied with Wright State atop the league standings.
 
Northern Kentucky hosts Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at BB&T Arena. The contest is part of a doubleheader with the Norse women's team, which plays Oakland at 5 p.m.