• December 19, 2011
• Northern Arizona University press release link

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Junior Stallon Saldivar (Judge Memorial Class of 2009) was named the Big Sky Player of the Week for his game-winning performance against Arizona State Monday. He also was also named National Mid-Major Men's Basketball Player of the Week and Big Sky Player of the Week by College Sports Madness and as a candidate for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award.

"I told Stallon that I would like for him to make a statement tonight because we think that he can certainly be recognized as one of the better point guards with his smarts and his ability to run his team," said Interim Coach Dave Brown after the game.

He hit a three-pointer with 0.6 left to lead Northern Arizona to the 69-68 upset of Pac-12 member Arizona State Saturday at Wells Fargo. He finished with a career-best 24 points with nine assists and five rebounds. The Salt Lake City, Utah, native made 7-of-12 shots from the field including a career-high six three-pointers while playing the entire 40 minutes.

"Once I made that first one, it's kind of a confidence thing," said Saldivar. "When you get that first one to hit nothing but net, for any shooter really it's a confidence thing, and I just felt it today."

He finished just one assist short of a double-double, recording nine assists in the game, the sixth time he has recorded nine or more assists in a game in his career. He also broke into the record books, moving into ninth place on the career assists list with 289 in his three-year career.

"I thought the Northern Arizona guards really dominated the basketball game, we had a difficult time defending them," said ASU Head Coach Herb Sendek.

He has now recorded the three top scoring games of his career this season.

Saldivar hit the game winner with one second left from the right side to take the lead for first time in the second half and win the game. The Lumberjacks defeated ASU for the second consecutive time after posting a 75-71 upset in the 2006-07 season over the Sun Devils.

Saldivar was also named as a candidate for the 2012 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Awar by The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in college basketball. Almost 60 candidates have been nominated for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award.

This original list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final twenty by January 1st, final ten by February 1st, and final five by March 1st. A premier Selection Committee will be appointed by the Hall of Fame to review the final five candidates in contention for the nation's top collegiate point guard award. These Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2012 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame's Class Announcement on Championship Monday in New Orleans as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph's), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland) and last year's recipient Kemba Walker (Connecticut). For more information on the 2012 Bob Cousy, log onto www.CousyAward.com.