DALLAS – Rice’s Robert Martin made his mark in the first week of Conference USA Bonus Play, earning C-USA Player of the Week honors after leading the Owls back from a 20-point deficit in El Paso. UTEP guard Jordan Lathon set a freshman school record and was tabbed C-USA Freshman of the Week. Awards are chosen by a vote from a media panel representing the 14 member schools. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World.

Player of the Week
ROBERT MARTIN, RICE
Junior, 6-6, 220, F, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In the Owls’ first win in El Paso since 2012, Martin recorded his third double-double of the year, pacing Rice to an 85-81 victory at UTEP in double overtime. His performance in the first week of Bonus Play helped Rice erase a 20-point second-half deficit, the second largest comeback in program history. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native poured in 23 points, with 20 coming in the second half and overtime, while grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds. He leads Rice this season with four 20-point games. Overall, Martin connected on 7-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also went 7-of-10 from the free throw line. This is the junior’s first weekly award this season.

Freshman of the Week
JORDAN LATHON, UTEP
Freshman, 6-4, 190, G, Grandview, Missouri
Lathon tallied a career-high 32 points against Rice, setting a UTEP freshman record. The guard pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds for the second double-double of his career, while dishing out three assists. Lathon was on fire offensively, setting career highs in made field goals (12) and 3-pointers (six). He hit 75 percent of his shots, including 6-of-8 from downtown. The freshman is the first Miner to score 30-or-more points since March 9, 2016. The award is Lathon’s second of his career.