Nov. 17, 2008

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton senior guard Josh Akognon was named the first Big West Conference Player of the Week for the 2008-09 season on Monday afternoon after leading the Titans to a split of their season-opening contests in Hawaii.

Akognon, who earned his first career player of the week honor from the league office, averaged 26 points per contest over the weekend en route to earning all-tournament honors at the Verizon Wireless Tip-Off Classic hosted by Hawaii.

In the win over the Warriors on Sunday, Akognon erupted for a Stan Sheriff Center record and career-high 41 points which also stands as the second-highest point total in Fullerton's Division I history, behind only Bobby Brown's 47-point effort against Bethune Cookman on Dec. 16, 2006.

Akognon, who hit on 12-of-29 from the field against Hawaii (including 7-of-18 from three-point range), was held to only 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting before fouling out just four minutes into the second half against Texas State in the opener.

The seven three-pointers made against the Warriors tied a career high while the 18 attempts set a new personal standard.

Cal State Fullerton returns to the court on Thursday (Nov. 20) as the Titans face-off against Hope International in their regular season home opener at Titan Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.