DALLAS -- Missouri State forward Michael Osei-Bonsu (Sr., Bolingbrook, Ill.) became Missouri State's first Conference USA Player of the Week in men's basketball on Monday, the league announced.

Osei-Bonsu averaged 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game to help lead the Bears to victories at New Mexico State and UTEP last week. Likewise, the senior standout converted 63.6 percent of his field goals (14-for-22) on the week. 

He started the weekend off with 21 points and 9 rebounds at New Mexico State last Thursday, converting 8-of-12 field goals and combining with teammate Keith Palek III to score 47 of the club's 84 points in Las Cruces. He followed that effort with 17 points, 9 rebounds and a pair of steals in Saturday's win at UTEP, including the game-winning layup with 12 seconds to go.

Osei-Bonsu's efforts helped secure Missouri State season sweeps over New Mexico State & UTEP and pushed the Bears into sole possession of second place in the Conference USA standings. Likewise, his 21-point outing at NM State marked his sixth 20-point scoring effort of the season and second in a three-game span.

He currently leads Conference USA and ranks 29th nationally in field goal percentage (.600) for the season. Osei-Bonsu is the second Bear to receive a weekly CUSA award this season with Trey Williams Jr. earning CUSA Freshman of the Week laurels on Jan. 5.

Osei-Bonsu shares CUSA Player of the Week honors this week with Sam Houston's Po'Boigh King, while Kennesaw State's Trey Simpson was this week's CUSA Freshman of the Week. 

Cuonzo Martin's Bears make their long-awaited return to Great Southern Bank Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they square off with Sam Houston. The game features a special halftime performance by the Master of Simon Sez Steve Max. The Jan. 28 game is also Faith and Family Night.
 
Tickets for the Sam Houston game, and all remaining home games, are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or through the MSU Athletics Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular office hours. A complete list of season promotions and ticket specials is also available at MissouriStateBears.com/promotions.