ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State junior Jermaine Mallett (G/F, Jackson, Miss.) posted 45 points in the Bears' first three conference games of the season last week and earned MVC Newcomer of the Week honors, the league announced Monday.

Mallett had a sensational debut in the MVC this week, helping the Bears to a 2-1 record in their first three games, including their first road win in the Valley since March 1, 2008. 

The transfer from Marion (Ala.) Military Institute fired home a game-high 17 points in the win at Evansville with a team-high 5 assists, 3 steals and 5 rebounds. He followed that effort with his first career double-double in a home win over Illinois State (1/1/10) with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to break the Bears' five-game losing streak to the Redbirds. He continued his hot hand Sunday at UNI (1/3/10) with another team-high effort, scoring 13 points in a narrow loss at league preseason favorite UNI. For the week, Mallett notched 45 points (15.0), 19 rebounds (6.3), 5 three-pointers and a .533 shooting percentage (16-for-30), including 11-of-16 (.688) from two-point range.

He is the second Bears' player to win the MVC Newcomer of the Week award this season, along with Adam Leonard who claimed the honor on Nov. 30.  Only three other MSU players have earned the weekly award since the Valley began recognizing newcomers in 2003-04: Blake Ahearn (Dec. 23, 2003 and Jan. 12, 2004), Shane Laurie (Jan. 30, 2006) and Spencer Laurie (Jan. 8, 2007).

The Bears (12-2, 2-1) take on Wichita State (13-2, 2-1) at JQH Arena this Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in an MVC showdown. Tickets are available by calling (417) 836-7678 or on-line at www.MissouriStateTix.com.