Nov. 16, 2009

IRVINE, Calif. - With his strong performance at the Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tourney over the weekend, UC Davis junior Joe Harden has been named Co-Big West Conference Player of the Week. Harden and Long Beach State's Larry Anderson are sharing the conference's first weekly individual award of the season.

Harden averaged 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in the Aggies' three games at the BTI Tip-Off. The effort included a pair of double-doubles. He scored a career-high 26 points in Sunday's 99-79 win against Winston-Salem State. Harden added 12 rebounds in the win, which came two days after he posted 14 points and 11 rebounds in the opener against Colorado State. Harden, who was named to the BTI Tip-Off All-Tournament Team, also tossed in 12 points Saturday against Oregon.

It's the first Big West weekly honor for Harden and the second for the Aggies since joining the conference. Vince Oliver received the recognition during his senior season in 2008-09.

UC Davis (1-2) returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts UC Santa Cruz at 8 p.m. at The Pavilion.