HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's Sam Vinson has been named the Nike® Horizon League Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season.

The guard from Fort Thomas, Ky. is now tied for sixth-most Freshman of the Week honors in Horizon League history.

Vinson averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals in NKU's 3-0 week at BB&T Arena.

In NKU's 73-63 victory over Wright State, Vinson unlocked a 61-all game with a jump shot that launched a 12-2 game-ending run. He scored seven points in the run. Vinson finished the Jan. 25 outing with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.

Vinson contributed 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals in NKU's 59-49 triumph over Purdue Fort Wayne Jan. 28.

Then, in a 78-72 comeback win over Horizon League leader Cleveland State Jan. 30, Vinson scored 18 points – including nine in NKU's game-changing 26-4 run – with five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Vinson previously was named Nike® Horizon League Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 13, Jan. 3 and Jan. 24.

He has averaged 11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals through 20 games. Vinson ranks 15^th nationally and first in the Horizon League in total steals (44). He's 19^th nationally and second in the conference in steals per game (2.2).

The Norse (11-9, 7-4 Horizon League) have won five straight games. They continue a five-game home stand against Oakland at 7 p.m. Thursday at BB&T Arena.