Anteaters’ Bland named Big West Player of Week

UC Irvine junior post Kevin Bland has been named the Big West Conference Player of the Week in men’s basketball.

He averaged 16 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 steals last week as UCI lost to Nevada, 77-68, and defeated Utah State, 70-51.

The 6-foot-8, 235-pounder shot 60% from the field in those two games and converted all seven of his free throws.

In Saturday’s win over preseason Western Athletic Conference favorite Utah State, Bland scored 15 points, going five for six from the field (one for one from three-point range) and four of four from the line. He also recorded eight rebounds and five steals.

Bland had a team-high 17 points, along with four steals, in the loss to Nevada Nov. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

He was a redshirt at UCI last season after being named California Co-Player of the Year at San Joaquin Delta Community College in 2005-06.

— From staff reports