Men’s Basketball: Martin named Player of the Week

Setting his career-high in points twice in two games, UC Irvine senior Jaron Martin captured the Big West Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week award.

The 5-10 guard averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists to help the Anteaters post a 2-1 record for the week. He shot 45.7% (21-for-46) from the field and 80% (12-of-15) at the foul line.

Martin tallied a career-high 24 points in a 73-58 win over South Dakota State Nov. 14, then exceeded that mark two nights later with a 26-point effort against No. 25 California. He shot 10 of 19 against South Dakota and 10 of 21 versus California. He nearly lifted UCI to a win over a ranked opponent for the first time in 11 years, but his 19 second-half points were not enough as the Bears escaped in overtime.

At one point, Martin scored eight straight UCI points with just under 10 minutes left in regulation against Cal.

He had an all-around solid performance in Saturday’s 72-65 triumph over Pacific, finishing with nine points and career highs of eight rebounds and six assists. He knocked down all seven of his free-throw attempts.

Martin canned four three-pointers in the South Dakota State game.

— From staff reports