Williamsburg, KY – After a stellar three-game stretch leading Cumberlands to another perfect week, senior guard Kyle Duke has been named the Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Week, conference officials announced Monday afternoon. Duke's scoring consistency and efficiency powered the 12th-ranked Patriots to victories over Johnson (Tenn.), Brescia, and Truett McConnell as UC improved to 8-0 on the season.
 
Duke averaged 25.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 55.6 percent from the field, 52.9 percent from three, and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line across the three wins. He scored at least 22 points in each contest and provided the offensive spark that set the tone for Cumberlands' dominant performances throughout the week.
 
He opened the week with a season-best 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three, in the 96-84 road win over Johnson University (Tenn.). Duke scored 15 first-half points to help UC build an early lead and added four assists and three steals as the Patriots shot over 54 percent from the field.
 
Returning to action in the Campbellsville Classic, Duke poured in 23 points against Brescia, knocking down five three-pointers and dishing out five assists in UC's 90-52 victory. He followed that with another strong outing versus Truett McConnell, scoring 22 points while going 8-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the free-throw line. Duke added three assists and a steal in the 97-81 win to cap off his award-winning week.
 
Through eight games this season, Duke is averaging 22.3 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and 52 percent from three, leading one of the NAIA's most potent offenses at 90.3 points per game. His scoring average currently ranks among the top in the Mid-South Conference.
 
This marks the first MSC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season for Duke and the second conference weekly award overall for the Patriots this year.
 
Duke and the Patriots will return to the court tomorrow as they head to Pippa Passes, KY to take on Alice Lloyd College. Tip-off is set for 6 PM ET.
 
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