Jan. 4, 2010

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern sophomore forward John Shurna (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) has picked up his second Big Ten Player of the Week honor this season the conference office announced Monday. Shurna garners the accolade after averaging 28.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in Northwestern's first two Big Ten contests last week.

Coupled with the award he picked up Nov. 30, Shurna becomes the first Northwestern player to earn multiple Big Ten Player of the Week honors in the same season since Evan Eschmeyer won it three times during the 1998-99 campaign.

The sophomore forward posted 27 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists in 44 minutes of action during Wednesday's overtime contest at Illinois. He followed up that effort by recording a game-high 29 points while adding six boards and four assists against No. 11-ranked Michigan State on Saturday.

The point total tied a career high and marked Shurna's fourth consecutive scoring effort over 20 points. He is the first Wildcat to score at least 20 points in four straight games since Vedran Vukusic opened the 2005-06 campaign by posting 20 or more points in six consecutive contests.

Shurna currently leads Northwestern with averages of 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Both averages rank third in the Big Ten.

The Wildcats (10-3, 0-2 Big Ten) return to action Thursday when they host Texas-Pan American at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.