BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- For the third straight week, Delta State University men's basketball player Maalik Cartwright was named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week.

The Holly Grove, Ark., native, notched his third consecutive award after averaging 12.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 blocks as the Statesmen split games against West Florida (W, 70-61) and No. 13 Valdosta State (L, 72-67) over the weekend. 

Cartwright posted 13 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and five blocked shots as Delta State erased a 15-point deficit in the come-from-behind win over the Argonauts. The 15 rebounds and five blocks were both new career-bests for the newcomer.

The freshman guard added 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals in a narrow defeat against the No. 13 Blazers. Cartwright shot a combined 10-for-19 from the floor (53 percent) on the weekend.

The Statesmen return to action on Thursday, Feb. 20 as they travel to Clinton to take on Mississippi College at 7:30 p.m. DSU then closes out the trip with Auburn University at Montgomery on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.