WACO, Texas – RSU's Baron Smith Jr. was named the Heartland Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday (Jan. 8) after leading the Hillcats to a upset win over nationally ranked Dallas Baptist University.  
 
Smith, a senior guard from LaGrange, Ga., lifted the Hillcats to a 72-70 upset over No. 16-ranked Dallas Baptist on Saturday, hitting two free throws with 10 seconds left to give the navy and red the victory. He scored a game-high 29 points in the win on 53-percent shooting from the floor and added five rebounds and two assists. Smith also scored 20 points in a loss to Newman on Thursday in Wichita, Kan. During the week, Smith averaged 24.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 44-percent shooting.
 
Smith ranks fourth in the Heartland Conference in scoring this season at 16.9 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting. He is third in steals in the league at 1.8 per game. The senior adds 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. In Heartland Conference play, Smith currently averages 29.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 35.3 minutes per game. He is shooting 50 percent in league play and 93.1 percent from the free throw line.
 
This is Smith's second Heartland Conference Player of the Week honor. The senior earned the award for the first time earlier this season on Dec. 4, 2017. The Preseason All-Heartland Conference selection was selected All-Heartland Conference Honorable Mention as a junior.
 
The Hillcats (10-5, 3-0) are back in action on Wednesday (Jan. 10) when the navy and red hosts Lubbock Christian at 7:30 p.m. inside the Claremore Expo Center. Follow the action on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.