The Mississippi State basketball programs swept the SEC Player of the Week awards with both Jimmy Bell, Jr. and Lauren Park-Lane winning the honors.
In Saturday’s 70-60 win over Rutgers, Bell had his best game of the season. The graduate forward had 17 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, which was good enough to earn his first career SEC weekly award.
On the year, Bell has helped fill a void for the Bulldogs (10-2) left by Tolu Smith’s injury. Stepping in at the five, the West Virginia transfer leads the conference in rebounds with 9.4 per game. He also is the first SEC player this season to have over 15 points and over 15 rebounds in a game.
“I can’t imagine where we’d be without [Bell’s production],” head coach Chris Jans said. “Certainly, no one could have predicted that he would be in this position with playing a bigger role and more minutes than he’s used to. He’s really gotten himself in really good shape. Certainly, we’re all excited about the idea of Tolu rejoining the team, but I don’t know where we’d be without [Bell].”
For the Lady Bulldogs (12-2), Park-Lane had a career day against Colorado State on Wednesday. The graduate guard broke the program’s single-game record with 10 three-pointers, finishing with 33 points. She added six assists and four rebounds in the 82-75 win.
“It is unbelievable. She is so special,” head coach Sam Purcell said. “If you aren’t talking about Lauren Park-Lane across the country, you’re missing out…I could not be a more proud coach.”
Park-Lane, in her first year in Starkville after transferring from Seton Hall, is the second consecutive player to win the distinction after Jessika Carter earned SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 19. Combined, the two are averaging 25.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
