SAN MATEO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference has named its University Credit Union Men’s Basketball Player and Freshman of the Week for December 14, 2020. 
 
UCU #WCCHOOPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – AHMED ALI, SR., G – PORTLAND
Senior point guard Ahmed Ali finished with 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal in Portland’s 87-86 overtime road win at Oregon State on Thursday night. The Toronto, Ontario native played 39 minutes and hit numerous clutch shots to help the Pilots overcame a late deficit and pull it out in OT.
 
He buried a contested three-pointer at the end of the shot clock to give Portland an 86-82 lead to ice the game with 14.0 seconds left. Ali, who scored seven points in the extra session, finished the night 8-for-15 from the field, 4-of-8 from three-point range and made 6-of-7 free throws. He also gave the Pilots a boost going into half-time with a step-back 25-footer just before the buzzer to put Portland ahead 36-29.
 
Ali has recorded three 20-point games already this season and has sparked Portland’s four-game winning streak. His 21.4 points per game average ranks third in the WCC.
 
Also Nominated: Alex Barcello, BYU; Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco; Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine; Tommy Kuhse, Saint Mary’s; Eli Scott, LMU 
 
UCU #WCCHOOPS FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK – CALEB LOHNER, F – BYU
Freshman forward Caleb Lohner is leading the 6-2 BYU men’s basketball team in rebounding, averaging 6.8 boards per game. In two games this week, the 6-8 forward from Dallas, Texas, averaged 5.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. Lohner started both games versus Boise State and Utah and played an averaged of 22.23 minutes. In a 82-64 victory over Pac-12 rival Utah on Saturday, Lohner scored eight points and grabbed a career high 10 rebounds to pace the Cougars. 
 
Also Nominated: Jalin Anderson, LMU; Mitchell Saxen, Saint Mary’s
 
2020-21 UCU #WCCHOOPS Men’s Basketball Player of the Week 
December 14: Ahmed Ali, Portland
December 7: Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga
November 30: Drew Timme, Gonzaga
 
2020-21 UCU #WCCHOOPS Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week 
December 14: Caleb Lohner, BYU
December 7: Leemet Böckler, Saint Mary’s
November 30: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga