By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – For the fifth time in nine opportunities this season, the University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball program boasts the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week as graduate forward Bernie Andre nabbed that accolade today.
Andre is the 28th all-time Skyhawk to earn the OVC Newcomer of the Week accolade and the third to win the award this season, joining KK Curry (Nov. 15) and KJ Simon (Nov. 22, Dec. 20, Jan. 3). The five OVC Newcomer of the Week awards are tied for the fourth-most in school history while the 2021-22 UT Martin squad is only the second team in program history to claim at least three different winners in the same season (four separate Skyhawks won in 2014-15).
Hailing from North Miami Beach, Fla., Andre was on fire this week as UT Martin split against Tennessee State and Belmont. He averaged team-highs of 19.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 61.1 percent (11-of-18) from the field – including a scorching 75 percent (6-for-8) clip from three-point land. He added an 84.6 percent (11-of-13) shooting performance from the free throw line in the two contests.
During Thursday’s road win at Tennessee State, Andre went off for a season-best 24 points – just two shy of his all-time collegiate career-high set while playing for Northern Arizona during the 2018-19 season. He converted seven of his 10 field goal tries (4-for-5 from beyond the three-point arc) while adding four rebounds and an assist in a season-high 29 minutes.
Two days later, Andre collected 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting against OVC preseason favorite Belmont. The 6-6, 210-pounder tacked on a team-best six rebounds and a blocked shot in 26 minutes of playing time.
Andre ranks in the top-10 in the OVC in five different statistical categories in conference-games only. He ranks fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.615), seventh in rebounding (6.3 per game), ninth in field goal percentage (.556), 10th in scoring (17.7 points per outing) and 10th in three-point field goals made (2.7 per contest).
The Skyhawks resume their OVC schedule this week on Wednesday, Jan. 12 when they head to Morehead State for a 6 p.m. CST tipoff.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information