LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Nov. 22) – Following back-to-back 35-point games and a pair of double-doubles, California University of Pennsylvania sophomore forward Philip Alston (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville North) was chosen the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Athlete of the Week on Monday afternoon.

Alston averaged 36.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game last week, as the Vulcans earned a split of two home games. He shot a combined 64.0 percent (32-of-50) from the floor, including seven dunks, and converted 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) from the free-throw line while playing 34.5 minutes per game. Alston scored a career-high 37 points on Tuesday in a 104-84 victory against Franklin Pierce (N.H.), which advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 Northeast-10 (NE-10) Conference Tournament. The Ohio native made 16-of-21 from the field and collected 10 rebounds (five offensive), one block and one steal in the home-opener. Alston then totaled 35 points and a career-high 16 rebounds (four offensive) on Thursday in a 95-92 loss versus preseason No. 22 Fairmont State, which won the 2020 MEC Championship. The 6-foot-6 sophomore shot 16-of-29 from the field and added two blocks against the Fighting Falcons.

A product of Westerville North, Alston is the first Cal U player in over 25 years to score 30 points in consecutive games. He also is the only player in NCAA Division II, and is one of only two players in all NCAA divisions, to score at least 35 points multiple times this season. Alston is tied for second in the PSAC in scoring at 25.0 points per game on a .589 field-goal percentage (43-of-73) and sits third in the league with 38 total rebounds.

Alston received the weekly league honor for the first time in his career. As a freshman in the 2019-20 campaign, Alston finished the year with 70 points and 37 rebounds while playing a total of 146 minutes as a reserve.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 23, when they travel to face preseason PSAC East-favorite Shippensburg in non-conference play at 8 p.m.