Last Week’s Stats: 37.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.0 spg, 65.0 FG%, 80.0 3FG%, 87.5 FT%
The rim was as big as the ocean for Ray in Chicago State’s lone game of the week, a 78-74 win over visiting Mercyhurst on Saturday. The senior forward delivered one of the most dominant individual performances in the NEC this season. With his aggressive play under the rim, his mid-range shot and his long-range shooting running on all cylinders, Ray poured in a game- and career-high 37 points in impressively efficient fashion. He went 13-of-20 from the field, including a sizzling 4-of-5 from three, and capped off his stellar shooting night with a 7-of-8 effort from the free throw line. In addition, Ray, who gave the Cougars momentum heading into halftime with a successful three-quarter court heave, grabbed 10 rebounds to complete his first double-double of the season. With his performance, Ray became the first NEC player since Bryant’s Charles Pride in the 2021-22 campaign to score at least 37 points and pull down 10 rebounds all while shooting 60.0 percent or better from the field. Over his past four outings, he has averaged 21.3 points per game to boost his season average to 13.5 ppg, a mark that ranks 11th in the conference. This is the North Carolina product’s first weekly award, and it is the first for a Chicago State baller this season.