Bjelicic named SSAC Defensive Player of the Week

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Loyola men's basketball sophomore Kosta Bjelicic has been recognized by the Southern States Athletic Conference for his play on the defensive end last week, as he was named the SSAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. It's the first career weekly conference honor for the Belgrade, Serbia, native, and he becomes the third different Wolf Pack player this season to win an SSAC weekly award.

Bjelicic joins juniors Kameron Johnson and Zachary Lee, who were the SSAC Offensive Players of the Week the last two weeks. This is the first time that three different Wolf Pack players have earned SSAC weekly awards since the 2021-22 season. 

Bjelicic anchored Loyola's frontcourt in a pair of road wins at Xavier and William Carey, averaging 12.5 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting an efficient 10-of-18 from the field.  He opened the week playing 40 minutes in an overtime contest at Xavier, grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds with three blocks in Loyola's 78-74 victory on Tuesday. He also added 12 points and five assists.

Four days later in the conference opener at William Carey, Bjelicic totaled five rebounds, one block and two steals in the Wolf Pack's 81-75 win in Hattiesburg. He also went 6-of-7 from the floor to finish with 13 points, marking his seventh game of the season scoring in double figures. 

Through the first eight contests of the season, Bjelicic is the Pack's leading rebounder at 7.1 boards per game, and he leads the team with eight total blocks while shooting a team-best 57.1 percent from the field. He is one of four Wolf Pack players averaging double figures in scoring this season. 

Loyola (6-2) returns to The Den on Tuesday for a rematch with Dillard, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. The Pack will then resume SSAC play on Dec. 4 at Blue Mountain Christian.

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