WALESKA, Ga. -- University of Pikeville guard Kyonte Thomas has been named the AAC Player of the Week.
 
Thomas, a 6-0 junior from Boilingbrook, Ill., averaged 20 points, six rebounds and three assists per game in a pair of wins for the Bears last week. Not only that, he played a key role in the offensive runs that pushed the Bears to both victories.
 
"Kyonte had a great week for us and is very deserving of this honor," said Coach Tigh Compton. "He was critical in both of our wins. We're very happy for him."
 
In Tuesday night's 78-58 win at Bluefield, Thomas scored 12 unanswered points as part of a 23-3 run in the second half to break open a game that was tied with 17 minutes left.
 
He finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
 
On Saturday afternoon, he had seven points in a 17-1 first-half run provide the difference in a 76-67 win over non-conference opponent the University of Rio Grande. Thomas had 24 points, five rebounds and five assists in the game.
 
Thomas finished the week hitting 15-of-23 from the field, good for 65.2 percent. He went 2-of-4 from the arc and sank 8-of-10 from the free throw line.
 
With the wins, the Bears are 10-3 on the season and are now 8-2 in the AAC, which has them tied for first this season. They have won four straight games.
 
For the season, Thomas averages 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He also hands out 3.5 assists per game and is second on the team with 16 steals.
 
This is the first time Thomas has won the honor and is the second men's basketball player to win the award. Teammate Issac Stanback was player of the week last week.
 
UPike has one game left before the Christmas break. It will play at Dalton State (Ga.) University on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. in what will be the final non-conference game of the regular season.
 
The next home game for the Bears is Thursday, Jan. 4 when they host Montreat (N.C.) College at Appalachian Wireless Arena at 7:30 p.m.