EL PASO, TEXAS – UTEP junior forward Derrick Caracter was selected the Conference USA Rookie of the Week on Monday.
Caracter had a couple more double-doubles as UTEP took over sole possession of first place in Conference USA with home wins over Houston (65-58) and Tulsa (73-59). First, he scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half as the Miners erased a 30-26 deficit and avenged their only C-USA loss this season to the Cougars. Caracter was 7-for-7 from the field in the second half and 10-for-12 for the night while adding 13 rebounds and a steal. He followed that up with 12 points, 12 boards and a steal against Tulsa. Eight of his 12 points came in the second half as the Miners pulled away from a 30-30 tie, holding the Golden Hurricane to seven field goals and a .350 field goal percentage in the second period. Caracter averaged 17.0 points and 12.5 rebounds for the week while shooting 58.3 percent (14-for-24) from the field. He has seven double-doubles this season, including three straight.
Caracter was also named the C-USA Rookie of the Week on Jan. 4. He was the league player of the week on Feb. 1.
