WALESKA, Ga. – A University of Pikeville player has been named the defensive player of the week in the AAC.
 
Zion Blevins was honored this week in a vote of the league's sports information directors. He was recognized alongside Tennessee Wesleyan's Reshaun Hampton, the offensive player of the week.
 
Blevins is a 6-7 redshirt freshman from Chapmanville, W.Va., who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in two conference road wins last week. But the numbers that grabbed the attention of voters came in the blocks category, where he had eight for the week.
 
In an 84-75 win at Johnson (Tenn.) University on Wednesday, Blevins had 11 points and nine rebounds, four of them off the defensive glass. In addition, he blocked five shots.
 
He followed that up with 24 points and nine rebounds in an 81-61 win at Montreat (N.C.) College on Saturday afternoon. He had eight rebounds off the defensive glass, blocked three more shots and recorded a steal.
 
UPike is now 5-2 on the season and 4-0 in league play. The Bears are riding a four-game win streak.
 
Blevins is averaging 11.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season. His shooting percentage of 59.6 is fifth in the conference this season. His 1.7 blocks per game has him tied for second in the league.
 
UPike will return home on Tuesday night for another AAC tilt, entertaining Union Commonwealth University at the Appalachian Wireless Arena. The game is the second of a doubleheader and is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.