January 28, 2002

Bluffton College junior Mike Leimeister (Collins/Edison H.S.) has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for the second time this season.

Leimeister combined for 53 points and 16 rebounds in two games last week. On Wednesday he scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 99-93 loss to HCAC-leader Manchester, then on Saturday he scored a career-high 31 points and had five rebounds in a 96-90 win over Mount St. Joseph. For the week, he shot 61% from the field (19-31) including 67% from 3-point range (4-6) and 79% from the free throw line (11-14) while adding two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.

Leimeister's first Player of the Week honor came following his 30-point performance in an 85-65 win at Denison University on December 15.

Leimeister, a 6-3 forward/center, is averaging 16.1 points per game (2nd in HCAC) and 6.2 rebounds per game (5th in HCAC). He ranks fourth in HCAC in both field goal shooting (58.2%) and free throw shooting (83.9%).

Bluffton is currently 8-12 overall and will play at Anderson University on Saturday at 3:00 (live broadcast on WDOH 107.1 FM).