Williams’ 29-17 night earns Big West Player of Week award

Alan Williams

IRVINE – Sophomore Alan Williams had a career night in helping UCSB to a huge road win, as he earned Big West Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors.

The 6-foot-7 forward tallied career highs in points (29) and rebounds (17) in leading the Gauchos to an 83-80 overtime victory against Santa Clara on Saturday. He shot 9 of 13 from the field and made 11 of his 15 free throw attempts in UCSB’s first road win of 2012-13.

Williams had seven points and three rebounds in the overtime period and 18 points and 11 rebounds in the second half and OT. He added a pair of blocks and steals as UCSB defeated a Bronco team that entered the game 5-1.

Williams is the first Gauchos player since 1990 with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in the same game, joining Eric McArthur, who had 28 points and 21 rebounds versus Cal State Fullerton.

In a 68-40 loss to Wyoming, Williams nearly collected a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

For the week, he averaged 20.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while shooting a healthy 51.9 (14 of 27) from the field.