SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Santa Clara mens' basketball redshirt freshman Sash Gavalyugov has been named the West Coast Conference's Co-Freshman of the Week for the week of Jan. 12. He is the third Bronco to be honored by the league office this season.

Gavalyugov earns the honor, the first of his young career, following a brilliant performance at home against LMU in the Broncos' 103-72 victory on Saturday. The Bulgarian native was 14-for-20 from the field for 37 points, including a 6-for-12 mark from 3-point range. The point total is tied for the second-most ever scored by a Bronco at home in Toso Pavilion/Leavey Center, and just one point shy of tying Brandin Podziemski's record of 38 set on Jan. 28, 2023 against Pacific. The 37 points are also the second-most ever scored by a Bronco freshman (Jared Brownridge vs. Pepperdine in 2014, and stands as the most scored by a WCC player in league play this season.

Gavalyugov's six treys are the most by a Bronco this season and most since Carlos Stewart Jr. also knocked down six last season against Saint Mary's. He also pulled down five rebounds in his 31 minutes on the court against the Lions. Earlier in the week, he scored eight points on the road against No. 8 Gonzaga. 

Gavalyugov is the second Bronco to win Freshman of the Week honors, joining Allen Graves, while Elijah Mahi was named the league's Player of the Week just a couple weeks ago on Dec. 29. He shares the award with Portland's Joel Foxwell, who earned a share of the honor for the fifth time this season.