Jaron Pierre Jr. Named C-USA Freshman of the Week for Second Time

1/4/2021 1:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-- Southern Miss guard Jaron Pierre, Jr. earned Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors for his recent performances.

Pierre's two biggest plays of the week, and the season, came in Southern Miss' 7-0 run over the final 45 seconds to force OT and defeat UTEP. His stand-up defense forced UTEP out-of-bounds with 19 seconds left, and on the ensuing play he took a give-and-go around the top of the key for a game-tying, finger-roll layup. He went 3-for-6 from deep against the Miners, which entered allowing only 28 percent.

The New Orleans native is seventh in C-USA field goal percentage (57.9 percent) and eighth in minutes (35.3 mpg), tops for all freshmen. This season, Pierre is second on the team with 11.5 ppg and is 15-for-40 from three-point range (37.5 percent).

Southern Miss (5-4, 1-1 C-USA) returns to action Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) at UAB.