CLEVELAND, Ohio – Senior Lacey James (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rider) of the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Player of the Week announced by the conference office on Monday. James shares the weekly honor with Ball State's Tahjai Teague.

James scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed a career-best 14 rebounds to help fuel the Huskies to a 72-66 overtime victory at Ohio this past Saturday (Jan. 5). NIU overcame a 14-point second half deficit to earn its first victory in Athens since 2015.

With his 20-point, 14-rebound effort, James posted his third double-double of the season, and the fourth of his NIU career. The senior from Grand Rapids, Mich., has scored in double figures five times this season and has recorded 10-plus rebounds in six contests in 2018-19.

The weekly honor is the first for James in his NIU career and the second for the Huskies this season. Senior Levi Bradley (Milwaukee, Wis./Pius XI) was named Co-MAC West Player of the Week on November 26 following his All-Tournament Team performance at the Men Against Breast Cancer Oakland Hoops Challenge.

James as the Huskies will be back in action on Tuesday night, January 8, as the visit the RedHawks of Miami. Game time in Oxford, Ohio, is slated for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN+.