University of Illinois-Springfield senior guard Richard Oruche (Bensonville, Ill./Fenton) is the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Oruche led the Prairie Stars to a pair of wins last week, including a victory over previously unbeaten Central State on Saturday.

 

In UIS’ 105-58 win over Robert Morris on Monday, Oruche poured in a game-high 24 points on 8-for-14 (.571) shooting from the field. He was 3-for-5 (.600) from the three-point line and also contributed eight rebounds, two assists and a steal.

 

Oruche was equally as impressive in the Prairie Stars’ 80-62 win over Central State. He netted a game-high 25 points on 9-for-14 (.643) shooting and knocked down 3-of-7 (.429) three-point field goals. Oruche added seven rebounds, two assists and a steal in the victory.

 

On the week, Oruche averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 60.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line. He also converted 9-of-12 (.750) free throw attempts.

 

Oruche is ranked second in the GLVC in scoring through the first six games of the season, averaging 22.7 points per game. He is also among league-leaders in free throw percentage (.794) and three-point field goals made per game (2.17).

 

UIS (4-2) is 1-1 in the GLVC and is leading the conference in scoring by posting 93.2 points per game. The Prairie Stars will next host Mesa State on Dec. 21.

 

Other top performers in the GLVC last week included Drury’s Chase Elliot, Kentucky Wesleyan’s Desmond Stephens, Lewis’ Chris McClellan, Maryville’s Eric Gruenewald, Northern Kentucky’s David Palmer, Quincy’s Justin Brock, Rockhurst’s Blake Baird, Southern Indiana’s Jamar Smith and UW-Parkside’s Grant Johnson.