Mike Moser’s gritty performances earn the sophomore league player of the week honors

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 | 10:11 a.m.

Mike Moser was simply unstoppable last week for the UNLV basketball team.

In a pair of overtime victories, Moser averaged 22.5 points and 16.5 rebounds per game, leading the Rebels to tough road wins in games they arguably should have lost.

For his efforts, the 6-foot-8 sophomore forward was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 29. Not bad for someone who played both games while battling an illness.

In a 77-72 victory at Boise State last Wednesday, Moser posted 14 points and 14 rebounds after halftime, and blocked a potentially game-winning three-point attempt at the end of regulation. This despite a head cold, a sore throat and throwing up earlier in the day.

“I tried to save everything I could for the second half,” Moser said after the game. “The way they were making shots I figured it would go down to the wire so I figured I might as well save myself.”

Against Boise, he recorded a career-best 21 rebounds — the second time this year he’s had 20 or more boards.

He posted double figures in rebounds and points the last four games, and has recorded a double-double in 12 of the Rebels’ 20 games. This was the third time he’s won the player of the week award, taking the honor in consecutive weeks in late November.

Against Air Force, he scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including making 10 of 17 field goal attempts in UNLV's 65-63 victory. For the week, he shot 52-percent from the field.

In the 12 weeks the league has selected a player of week, a UNLV player has won the award five times. Junior guard Anthony Marshall won last week; senior forward Chace Stanback won the last week in December.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.