WACO, Texas – Rogers State's Baron Smith Jr. was named the Heartland Conference Co-Player of the Week as announced by the Heartland Conference office on Monday (Dec. 4).
 
Smith, a senior point guard from LaGrange, Ga., posted a career-high 38 points in the Heartland Conference opener at UA Fort Smith on Thursday in a close 73-69 loss. The guard went 10-for-10 shooting from the free throw line and hit 4-of-7 3-pointers in the close contest. The 38 points ranks second all-time in the RSU single game record book and is the most points scored this season in the Heartland Conference. He added four steals, three rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes against the preseason conference favorite. Smith followed up that performance with a game-high 17 points in a 68-63 win over Emporia State on Saturday. The LaGrange, Ga. product hit 8-of-10 shots from the free throw line and totaled three steals and three rebounds in 35 minutes.
 
For the season, Smith averages 18.4 points 2.3 steals per game, ranking fifth and third in the Heartland Conference, respectively. He is shooting 47.3 percent and 46.7 percent from 3. The senior also totals 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
 
This is Smith's first-ever Heartland Conference Player of the Week honor. The Preseason All-Heartland Conference selection, earned All-Heartland Conference Honorable Mention as a junior.
 
The Hillcats return to action on Dec. 15 against Texas A&M-Commerce in Fort Smith, Ark. Tip is set for 6 p.m.