COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  Western Colorado sophomore Aidan McDowell and Fort Lewis redshirt-sophomore Stewart Erhart earned the latest Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, presented by Genesee Nutrition, the conference announced Monday.
 
OFFENSIVE
Aidan McDowell, Western Colorado (Sophomore, Guard, Crete, Nebraska)
McDowell earned his fourth Offensive Player of the Week honor after stuffing the stat sheet in matchups against Metropolitan State University of Denver and Regis University. In Thursday’s contest against the Roadrunners, McDowell logged 36 minutes and poured in 33 points, knocking down 10 field goals, five three-pointers, and eight free throws while posting efficient 50/42/89 shooting splits. He followed that performance with another dominant offensive outing against the Rangers, tallying 34 points on an outstanding 63/75/100 shooting line. In the 98-72 victory, McDowell connected on nine three-pointers. On the season, has five 30-point outings, while ranking second in Division II in scoring at 28.9 points per game, a mark that also places him atop the RMAC by a commanding 7.6-point margin.
 
Others Nominated: Cam Lowe, Black Hills State; Jadon Cool, Chadron State; Ben Henderson, Colorado Mesa; Chuol Deng, Fort Lewis; Jordan Blair, CSU Pueblo; Quave Propst-Allison, MSU Denver; Nikk Williams, New Mexico Highlands; Cooper Frith, Regis; Ryan Sweeney, South Dakota Mines; Xavier Martinez, UCCS; Colin Hayes, Westminster.
 
DEFENSIVE
Stewart Erhart, Fort Lewis (R-Sophomore, Guard, Tanana, Alaska)
Erhart was incredible for the Skyhawks in their two wins over New Mexico Highlands and Adams State. In a gritty battle against the Cowboys, Erhart sparked a Fort Lewis comeback, recording seven steals to tie his career high while also blocking two shots and pouring in 19 points. Led by Erhart, the Skyhawks forced 22 turnovers that resulted in 28 points as Fort Lewis defeated New Mexico Highlands, 88-80. Against Adams State, the Tanana, Alaska native once again showed out defensively, tallying six steals, five rebounds, and 21 points. Behind Erhart’s defensive effort, Fort Lewis forced 26 turnovers, converting them into 26 points. In total, the redshirt sophomore recorded 40 points, 13 steals, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks.

Others Nominated: Jack Haggett, Black Hills State; Jackson Schauer, Chadron State; Tyl Allred, Colorado Mesa; Jordan Blair, CSU Pueblo; Brian Unachukwu, MSU Denver; Donate Walker, New Mexico Highlands; Gunner Walters, Regis; Ryan Sweeney, South Dakota Mines; Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq, South Dakota Mines; Dawlton Grant, Western Colorado.


About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 69 national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.

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