BOWLING GREEN, KY – After another standout performance leading the Patriots to a road win, senior guard Kyle Duke has been named the Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Week, conference officials announced Monday afternoon. Duke's efficiency and clutch scoring lifted the 9th-ranked Patriots past Rio Grande as UC improved to 13-0 on the season.
 
Duke finished the week averaging 24.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting an impressive 58.3 percent from the field and 83.3 percent at the free-throw line. His ability to attack the basket, draw contact, and finish at the line once again served as the spark for Cumberlands' offense in a tight road matchup.
 
He delivered his best outing of the season in Friday's 78-70 victory at Rio Grande, pouring in 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting while knocking down 10-of-12 free throws. Duke scored 18 points in the second half alone, including four straight free throws to push the UC lead to 49-44 and a key layup with just over three minutes remaining that helped secure the Patriots' 13th straight win. He added three assists, four rebounds, and a steal while committing just one turnover in 33 minutes on the floor.
 
Through 13 games this season, Duke is averaging 22.2 points per game while shooting over 55 percent from the field and nearly 53 percent from three. He continues to rank among the top scorers in the Mid-South Conference and serves as the offensive centerpiece for one of the NAIA's most balanced attacks.
 
This marks Duke's second MSC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season and the third weekly conference award overall for the Patriots in 2025-26.
 
Duke and the Patriots will return to the court on Tuesday as they head to Pikeville to take on the Bears in a 6 PM ET matchup.
 
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