ST. LOUIS - Clayton Custer of Loyola and Emily Butters of Missouri State have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, presented by Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. The two athletes were honored for their performances during the period of November 13- November 19.
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their athletic performance during the one-week period.
Clayton Custer, Loyola, R-Jr., Basketball, Finance, 3.50 GPA
Custer had a monster week in helping Loyola to two more wins as it improved its record to 4-0 on the season, the program’s best start since 2010-11. In two games last week, Custer averaged 19.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, while shooting a staggering 61.1 percent (11-for-18) from the field, 44.4 percent (4-for-9) from three-point range, and 100 percent (12-for-12) from the free throw stripe. Playing in front of his hometown crowd, the Overland Park, Kansas native poured in 20 points, including 11 in a row at one point in the second half, to rally Loyola from an eight-point deficit to earn a 66-56 victory at UMKC on November 16. He followed that up with 18 points, a career-high nine assists, and no turnovers, in an 88-67 decision over Samford on November 19 as the Ramblers won their 12th straight home game versus a non-conference opponent. For the season, Custer is averaging a team-best 15.5 ppg, and shares the team lead with 3.8 apg, while draining 55.6 percent (20-for-36) of his field goal tries and 85 percent (17-for-20) of his foul shots.
Emily Butters, Missouri State, Jr., Volleyball, Exercise & Movement Science, 3.88 GPA
Missouri State junior Emily Butters tallied 50 digs in just seven sets last week, averaging 7.14 per set while helping the MSU defense limit opponents to .096 hitting in two road wins. Friday, the junior scooped 23 digs and had seven assists in a sweep of Valparaiso. Saturday, Butters set MSU’s single-season digs record during the first set at Loyola, finishing with 27 in the match along with six assists and an ace as the Bears completed an 18-0 MVC season.
About Enterprise Bank and Trust Company
Enterprise Bank & Trust was founded nearly 30 years ago on the idea of serving the lifetime financial needs of privately-held businesses, their owner families and other success-minded individuals. That concept for Enterprise Bank & Trust has remained its unwavering and guiding vision. Enterprise Bank and Trust tailors its services to fit the needs of our clients and has all the capabilities of the largest financial companies with the personal relationship orientation of a community bank. Enterprise Bank and Trust offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust and financial advisory services. Member FDIC.