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NEW ORLEANS - WKU's AJ Slaughter picked up the Sun Belt Conference's first weekly award honor as he was named Sun Belt Player of the Week on Tuesday.

The Sun Belt's Preseason Player of the Year lived up to his billing in his season debut Monday, pouring in a career-high 30 points in leading WKU to a 69-65 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the opening round of the Preseason NIT.  It was the first time a Hilltopper reached the 30-point mark since Tyrone Brazelton did it against UCLA in the 2008 NCAA Sweet 16.

Needing just 14 points to become the 43rd member of the 1,000-point club, Slaughter sailed past that mark early in the second half, and now ranks 39th all-time in scoring with 1,016 points.  He was 10-of-16 from the field, 5-of-10 from long range, and a perfect 5-of-5 at the stripe.

With the game tied 46-46, Slaughter took the team on his back, scoring 16 of the Toppers next 20 points over the ensuing 12 minutes.