Lewis University sophomore forward Max Strus has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week in men’s basketball, it was announced by the league office Monday.

Strus netted 76 points over two in-region wins last week, accounting for 47 percent of his team’s total scoring.  He averaged 38 points, 13 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game over 39 minutes, shooting 14-for-21 (.667) from three-point range and 19-for-31 (.613) overall from the field.

His most impressive performance was a school-record 52 points on 14-for-18 shooting (.778), including an amazing 12-for-14 (.857) from beyond the arc, in a 99-95 regional win over Northwood last Tuesday. That performance broke the previous school record of 46 points, set by John Lucas during the 1969-70 campaign and tied the GLVC single-game record of 52 set by both LaVontay Fenderson (UW-Parkside, 2009) and Gary Paul (Indianapolis, 1988).  The point total also broke the previous Bennett Center single-game record of 45 and is also the most points and three-pointers recorded by any NCAA player this season. His 12 treys are also believed to be a league record based on current records on file.  The previous high was 11 set by Northern Kentucky's Brian Lawhon against Kentucky State on Dec. 22, 1998.  

In a 62-60 victory over Wayne State on Saturday, Strus recorded 24 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field and a 12-for-15 effort from the line.  He added 14 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals as well.

Strus has recorded three consecutive double-doubles, which has not been done by a Flyer since the 2007-08 campaign. For the season, Strus is averaging a conference-best 27.4 points and 9.8 rebounds-per-game. 

The 2015 GLVC Freshman of the Year earns his first career weekly selection.  He is the first Flyer to be recognized by the league since Dennis Thomas, Jr. was honored on Feb. 14, 2011.