Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Pederson averaged 13.5 points-per-game and dished out 11 assists in the SMU men's basketball team's two games last week. The junior guard capped his week by tossing in a season-high 21 points in the Cardinals' conference game against Saint John's last Saturday.

Pederson's 21-point effort — the first time this season a Cardinal has eclipsed the 20-point barrier, was just two points shy of his career-best 23-point effort against North Central on Nov. 17, 2012.

Pederson heads into this week's two games — an MIAC showdown wtih St. Olaf on Monday and a nonconference tilt against Bethany Lutheran on Wednesday — averaging 7.8 ppg, while also leading the team with 28 assists