IRVINE, Calif. — Academy of Art University men's basketball freshman guard Uchenna Okeneme was recognized once again Monday as the Pacific West Conference Freshman of the Week, this time for the week of Dec. 15-21 after two double-digit scoring performances against nationally ranked opponents.
 
Okeneme averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals coming off the bench last week against No. 16 California Baptist and No. 22 Azusa Pacific. He shot 56.3 percent from the floor and was 5-for-7 from the free-throw line, including four straight free throws with less than two minutes to play on Tuesday against the Lancers to help send the game to overtime.
 
Okeneme has scored in double figures in four straight games dating to Nov. 29 versus Western Oregon, raising his season scoring average by 4.2 points per game. He is averaging 13.8 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals during the stretch.
 
It is the second straight PacWest Freshman of the Week award for Okeneme in as many weeks played. Okeneme received the nod for the week of Dec. 1-7 before the Urban Knights took a 10-day break heading into last week. It is the third Freshman of the Week award for ART U in as many weeks played after guard Jase Harrison won it for the week of Nov. 24-30.
 
ART U has received four PacWest weekly awards this season. Senior guard Alexis Moore earned PacWest Co-Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 10-16 after helping lead the Knights to an upset win at then-No. 22 Seattle Pacific in their Nov. 15 season opener. The 2014-15 season is six weeks old, the Urban Knights have played games in five of those weeks and have earned PacWest weekly awards in four of them.
 
Academy of Art next takes a break for the holiday then returns to PacWest play on New Year's Eve at Dixie State.