Choice Hotels/NEC Co-Player of the Week
Velton Jones, Robert Morris
6-0, 170lbs
R-Jr., G, Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic
Robert Morris assured itself two wins on its Garden State swing thanks to the play of redshirt junior Velton Jones, who averaged 28.5 points and six assists in a pair of come-back victories over Fairleigh Dickinson and Monmouth to earn a share of this week’s Choice Hotels/NEC Player of the Week honor. The Philadelphia, PA native put the second-place Colonials on his back in both games, beginning late in the second half against Fairleigh Dickinson last Thursday. With RMU trailing 50-47 with less than eight minutes to play, Jones scored seven of his 22 points and had a hand in three other baskets during a 20-5 run to turn aside FDU and secure a 67-55 decision. In addition to his 22 points, he finished the night with six assists and three steals. Against Monmouth on Saturday, the veteran guard put on a show with 35 points while etching his name in the RMU record books. Jones became 20th Colonial to score 1,000 points in a career when he drained a 3-ball as part of a 17-point outing in the first half, helping RMU to a four-point lead, 33-29, at the break. He then turned it up a notch after the Hawks went up by 15 in the second half, drilling three more treys and assisting on three others to erase the deficit and put RMU up by one, 66-65, on his career-best sixth long-distance shot of the game with 2:55 to play. All told in the 45-minute marathon, Jones finished 10-for-20 from the field, including 6-for-11 from distance as the Colonials pulled away in overtime to win, 81-73. It was his second 35-plus point outing of the season (38, James Madison) and raised his scoring average to 17.0 ppg, good for sixth in the league. Jones also ranks in the NEC top-10 in steals (third, 1.90), assist-to-turnover ratio (third, 1.72) and assists (fourth, 4.10).
Choice Hotels/NEC Co-Player of the Week
Louis Montes, Sacred Heart
6-4, 220lbs
So., F, Brockton, MA/Brockton
Sophomore forward Louis Montes averaged 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in leading Sacred Heart to a pair of wins over in-state conference foes Quinnipiac and Central Connecticut last week at home. In the process of getting the Pioneers back to the .500 mark in conference action (4-4), Montes started the week off in grand fashion, dropping a career-high 28 points in a 78-75 win over the Bobcats. His career-bests didn’t’ stop there, either, as he recorded his first double-double of the season in the Pioneers’ one-point win, 62-61, over Central Connecticut on Saturday. The Brockton, MA native netted 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds against the Blue Devils, who were outrebounded 41-35 for the game. For the week, Montes shot 51.6% from the field and a blistering 62.5% from downtown (5-for-8).
Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week
Lucky Jones, Robert Morris
6-5, 195lbs
Fr., F, Newark, NJ/St. Anthony
The Joneses were out in full force for the Colonials last week, as freshman forward Lucky Jones joins teammate and upperclassman Velton Jones as Choice Hotels/NEC Weekly Award Winners for the period ending on Jan. 22. In earning his second Rookie of the Week award of the 2011-12 campaign, he averaged a double-double with 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in helping RMU to back-to-back come-from-behind wins over Garden State foes Fairleigh Dickinson and Monmouth. Against FDU on Thursday, the younger Jones continued to shine as a starter after an injury sidelined junior Russell Johnson, scoring 16 points and adding nine boards and four steals in a 67-55 victory over the Knights. He gave the Colonials a spark with five points and two steals in a 1:19 span late in the contest as RMU extended a one-point lead to eight with three minutes to play. Jones then supplied seven points and a career-high 14 rebounds to a Colonial team that overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to defeat Monmouth, 81-73, in overtime two days later. For the season, Jones leads the Colonials in rebounding with a 6.7 per game average while chipping in 7.5 points per game. Additionally, as a starter over the last three contests - all RMU wins - Jones’ averages stand at 9.3 points and 10.7 rebounds. He ranks fourth in the NEC in free throw percentage (.841) and 11th in rebounding.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Leader of the Pack: While league leader LIU Brooklyn was able to put some distance between itself and a slew of would-be NEC title contenders last week, the four-way tie for second place behind the Blackbirds has fans buzzing about the second half of the regular season campaign. As teams jockey for playoff position and the right to host games in the NEC Tournament, here is a quick snapshot of where things stand:
LIU Brooklyn (8-0 NEC)The NEC’s hottest team with nine straight wins, LIU scored a marquee road victory over Wagner on Saturday. The nationally televised 73-66 triumph on ESPNU gave the Blackbirds their first-ever 8-0 start in NEC play. LIU is two games ahead of the pack heading into play this week, which includes a rematch of the 2011 NEC title game as the Blackbirds visit Robert Morris on Thursday. Fast Fact: LIU has won 18 consecutive NEC regular games dating back to last season, two shy of the league record (see note below).
Central Connecticut (6-2 NEC): CCSU came within a whisker of moving to 7-1 in NEC play, but fell to Sacred Heart on Saturday on a Pioneer bucket in the waning seconds. The good news for the Blue Devils: their next two games (against Monmouth and FDU) are at home where they are 7-1 on the year and 4-0 against NEC competition. Fast Fact: CCSU has held six straight NEC opponents to under 70 points
Robert Morris (6-2 NEC): After dropping back-to-back NEC games earlier in the month, the Colonials have won three straight entering play this week. Robert Morris had an interesting trip to New Jersey last week. Trailing by four at Fairleigh Dickinson, the Colonials ended the game on a 23-7 run to win by 12. Two nights later, RMU rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to upend Monmouth in overtime. Fast Fact: Robert Morris is 8-4 on the road this season, including 3-1 in NEC play.
St. Francis (NY) (6-2 NEC): The Terriers have won five of their six last outings, including four double-digit victories. St. Francis (NY) had a much anticipated rematch with Wagner in Brooklyn Heights last Thursday. Looking for revenge following a 40-point setback to the Seahawks in Staten Island back in December, the Terriers led the entire game until Wagner caught up early in the second half and pulled away for a 12-point victory. St. Francis (NY) bounced back with a 19-point win over Mount St. Mary’s two days later. Fast Fact: The Terriers have shot 83.5 percent from the free throw line over the past five games.
Wagner (6-2 NEC): Wagner had its eight-game win streak snapped on Saturday against LIU Brooklyn. Despite the loss, the Seahawks are off to their best conference start since beginning the 2007-08 season with an 8-1 record. Wagner’s 15-4 overall start is the program’s best since the Seahawks began the 1955-56 campaign with a 20-2 mark and the best in the NEC since CCSU went 27-4 in 2001-02 before losing to Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament. Fast Fact: Wagner’s six NEC victories have come by an average margin of 18.7 points.
What A Run! LIU Brooklyn Extends Two Impressive Streaks: With wins over Mount St. Mary’s and Wagner last week, LIU Brooklyn extended its win streak in NEC play to 18 games dating back to last season. The Blackbirds are now just two shy of matching the NEC record established by Central Connecticut State, which won 20 straight league contests from 2001-03. Including the postseason, the Blackbirds have taken down 21 straight league opponents. LIU Brooklyn last fell to an NEC rival on January 22, 2011 when Saint Francis (PA) beat the Blackbirds, 86-71, in Loretto, which itself snapped a six-game conference win streak for LIU. In total, the Blackbirds are 24-1 in their last 25 NEC regular season games.Likewise, LIU extended its home win streak to 19 games last week. The 19 straight wins at the WRAC is the fifth longest unbeaten string in the nation at this time. LIU was last tripped up at home on December 8, 2010 in an 88-82 setback to Iona.LIU's nine game overall win streak is tied for seventh in the nation at this time as well.
Nation's Longest Home Win Streaks
1. Kentucky 47
2. Ohio State 36
3. North Carolina 28
4. Harvard 23
5. LIU Brooklyn 19
Nation's Longest Overall Win Streaks
1. Murray State 20
2. Nevada 13
3. Kentucky 11
Middle Tenn. St. 11
Oral Roberts 11
6. San Diego State 10
7. LIU Brooklyn 9
Kansas 9
St. Mary's (CA) 9
Texas Arlington 9
Weber State 9
Record Crowd Highlights ESPNU Game: There was a championship game atmosphere at Wagner’s Spiro Center on Saturday, as a record 2,412 fans packed the steamy gymnasium for an ESPNU-televised matchup against inter-borough rival and league leader LIU Brooklyn. When the dust settled, it was the Blackbirds who came away with a 73-66 win to sweep the season series with the Seahawks and move to a perfect 8-0 in NEC play. LIU junior forward Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft) had a dominant game, finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds, both game-highs. His dunk off a Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX/Clark) feed with 1:54 remaining was the key play, as it gave the Blackbirds a seven-point edge. Wagner freshman forward Mario Moody (East Orange, NJ/East Orange Campus) was terrific off the bench, posting his second career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 23 minutes.
Mid-Year Comparison: Things Are Better In Brooklyn: Nearing the halfway point of the NEC schedule, it seems like an opportune time to see where each conference program sits compared to the same time a year ago. The biggest improvement is in Brooklyn Heights as St. Francis (NY) was 3-5 after eight games one year ago, but is 6-2 in 2011-12, a three-game jump. LIU Brooklyn has improved by two games from the same point least season, going from 6-2 to a perfect 8-0. Ironically, LIU would go on to win its final 11 games of the 2010-11 regular season to finish as NEC regular season champions with a 16-2 record.
Team Midway 10-11 Final 10-11 Midway 11-12
BRY 4-4 7-11 1-7
CCSU 5-3 11-7 6-2
FDU 2-6 3-15 0-8
LIU 6-2 16-2 8-0
MU 2-6 5-13 2-6
MSM 5-3 9-9 2-6
QU 4-4 13-5 3-5
RMU 5-3 12-6 6-2
SHU 3-5 6-12 4-4
SFNY 3-5 10-8 6-2
SFPA 4-4 7-11 4-4
WC 5-3 9-9 6-2
Rematch of 2010 NEC Title Game Highlights Upcoming NEC-TV Slate: One of the most anticipated NEC-TV games of the season is set for Thursday, as LIU Brooklyn and Robert Morris meet in Moon Township in a rematch of the classic 2011 NEC title game that saw the Blackbirds edge the Colonials, 85-82, in overtime. RMU will attempt to exact some revenge on its home court in the only meeting between the two teams this season. Tip is at 7:00 pm. Dave Popkin (play-by-play) and Joe DeSantis (color) have the call. February 2nd brings yet another battle of NEC behemoths with Robert Morris visiting Wagner for a 7:00 pm start. Popkin (play-by-play) and Tim Capstraw (color) comprise the announce crew. This too will be the only matchup between the Colonials and Seahawks in 2011-12.
Stat Primer: Efficiency: This week’s NEC statistical comparison focuses on efficiency, which attempts to reward key “good” stats and punish “bad” stats, all in one statistical measurement. This model was developed to evaluate NBA players, but can be used at any level to discern the most efficient performers. The efficiency formula is as follows:
((Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks) - ((Field Goals Att. - Field Goals Made) + (Free Throws Att. - Free Throws Made) + Turnovers))
The NCAA national average for player efficiency is 5.04. The NEC league leader in the category is Central Connecticut senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) at 22.6, which also ranks him third out of 1,840 players nationally.
Most Efficient NEC Performers
1. Ken Horton (CCSU) 22.6
2. Ike Azotam (QU) 17.5
3. Shane Gibson (SHU) 17.0
Scott Eatherton (SFPA) 17.0
5. Julian Boyd (LIU) 16.8
6. Jamal Olasewere (LIU) 16.4
7. Tyler Murray (WC) 13.6
8. George Goode (FDU) 13.1
9. Corey Maynard (BRY) 12.9
James Johnson (QU) 12.9
Velton Jones (RMU) 12.9
CCSU’s Ken Horton Set To Crack NEC Top-10 In Career Scoring: Central Connecticut State senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining), the school’s all-time leading scorer, jumped five spots to 11th on the NEC career list last week. With 1,781 points, Horton is just 30 shy of passing Saint Francis (PA)’s Jeff Hamilton (1981-85) and breaking into the NEC top-ten.
NEC Career Scoring Chart
7. Jeremy Chappell RMU, 1,875, 2005-09
8. Joe Griffin LIU, 1,830, 1991-95
9. Jeff Hamilton SFPA, 1,810, 1981-85
10. Jeff Hamilton SFPA, 1,810, 1981-85
11. Ken Horton CCSU, 1,781, 2007-11
Two More NEC Players Make Grand Statements: LIU's Jamal Olasewere, RMU’s Velton Jones Join 1K ClubL LIU Brooklyn junior forward Jamal Olasewere (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook) and Robert Morris junior guard Velton Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic) became the fifth and sixth NEC players this season to join the 1,000-point club last week. Olasewere reached the milestone last Thursday on a free throw with 4:41 to play in a 77-62 win over Mount St. Mary's. Olasewere, who finished with 20 in the contest, became the 31st player in LIU history to crack the 1,000-point barrier. His teammate, junior forward Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft), made it to 1,000 one week earlier. Olasewere enters play this week with 1,018 points.
Jones, the Choice Hotels NEC Co-Player of the Week, hit the millennium mark in style, torching Monmouth for 35 points in RMU’s 81-73 overtime victory on Saturday. His three-pointer with 11:56 to play in the first half gave the Philadelphia native exactly 1,000 points. He is the 20th player in school history to join the 1,000-point club and he finished the week with 1,024 points.
There are 178 players in NEC history who have reached the 1,000-point plateau since the league began sponsoring basketball in 1981. CCSU senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) is the leading active scorer with 1,781 points. Quinnipiac senior guard James Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) is next with 1,536 and CCSU senior guard Robby Ptacek (Bayport, NY/Blue Point) has accumulated 1,356 points. This year, Sacred Heart junior guard Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly) (1,183), St. Francis (NY) senior forward Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Srednja Turisticka Skola) (1,088), Wagner senior guard Tyler Murray (Toronto, Ontario/Eastern Commerce) (1,082) and Boyd (1,059) have also made it to 1,000 points.
The next line of players closing in on 1,000 this season include Wagner senior guard Chris Martin (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township (Apex Academies)) (953) and Monmouth senior forward Mike Myers Keitt (Waterbury, CT/Fairfield Prep (Marianapolis Prep)) (860).
CCSU's Ken Horton Further Cements Legacy: Central Connecticut senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) earned yet another spot in the NEC recordbook last week when he became the 11th player in league history to reach 1,500 points and 750 rebounds for his career. Horton, who had 25 points and 14 boards against Sacred Heart on Saturday, is the NEC's leading active scorer and rebounder with 1,781 and 754, respectively.
NEC Players with 1,500 points/750 rebounds
Name School Points Rebounds Years
Jermaine Hall WAG 2,278 777 1999-03
Rik Smits MAR 1,945 811 1984-88
Desi Wilson FDU 1,902 780 1988-91
Ken Horton CCSU 1,781 754 2007-12
Corsley Edwards CCSU 1,731 966 1998-02
Rahshon Turner FDU 1,637 927 1994-98
Jamie Latney FDU 1,666 786 1984-88
Freddie Burton LIU 1,540 836 1986-89
Justin Rutty QU 1,521 1,032 2007-11
Devin Sweetney SFPA 1,529 754 2006-10
Alan Tomidy MAR 1,508 838 1991-96
Another Milestone for QU's James Johnson: As membership in the NEC 1,000-point club continues to swell, Quinnipiac senior guard James Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) joined a much more exclusive group last week when he scored his 1,500th career point in the Bobcats' game at Sacred Heart on Thursday. The 58th player in league annals to reach the milestone, Johnson now ranks 51st on the NEC's career scoring list with 1,536 points. He is the fourth player in Quinnipiac's Division I history to cross the 1,500-point plateau, joining Rob Monroe (1,685 points from 2001-05), DeMario Anderson (1,654 points from 2003-08) and former teammate Justin Rutty (1,521 points from 2007-11).
Passing Fancy: LIU's Jason Brickman Piles Up The Assists:It didn't take LIU Brooklyn sophomore guard Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX/Clark) very long to become the 75th player in the history of the NEC to dish out 300 career assists. It only took 53 games for the San Antonio native to reach the plateau and enters play this week with 303 helpers after an eight-assist performance in LIU’s 73-66 win over Wagner on Saturday. Brickman led the league 5.5 apg as a freshman in 2010-11 despite playing under 23 minutes per game and coming off the bench in all 33 contests. He has upped that total to 6.2 apg this season, also an NEC-leading figure. The NEC career assist leader is Marist's Drafton Davis (1984-88) with 804. Second on that list is Mount St. Mary's Jeremy Goode (2006-10) with 603, a figure well within Brickman's reach should he remain productive and healthy over his final two-plus seasons in Brooklyn.
More Brickman: Aside from his passing exploits, LIU Brooklyn sophomore guard Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX/Clark) is on a shooting spree from outside the arc. Over the last eight games – all Blackbird wins – he has drilled 23-33 from long range, a scorching 69.7 percent. Over the last four games, Brickman has fared even better, making 15-19 or 78.9 percent. He hit 8-11 three-point attempts last week, including a 3-3 performance in LIU’s big win over Wagner on Saturday. Prior to his hot streak, Brickman had hit just 11-37 from long distance, a 29.7 percent success rate. He now ranks second in the NEC in three-point shooting at 48.6 percent. Brickman has also scored in double digits in seven of his last eight outings, posting 14.1 ppg over that stretch to raise his season average from 5.8 ppg to 9.2 ppg.Near-Perfect 10 for SHU’s Shane Gibson
Sacred Heart junior guard Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly) has been on an absolute tear as of late, and has shown no signs of letting up any time soon. Gibson has scored 22 or more points in nine of his last 10 games, averaging 23.8 ppg in that span. He has put on some scintillating long distance shooting performances in that time, hitting 36 three-pointers at a 51.4 percent clip. Gibson, a Killingly, CT product, leads the NEC (and ranks ninth nationally) with 20.7 ppg, and ranks third in three-point percentage (.450) and fourth in made trifectas (2.6 per game). On Saturday, his jumper just inside the three-point arc with six seconds to play was the game-winner in a 62-61 triumph over the Blue Devils.
Refuse to Lose: Quite a Week for RMU’s Velton Jones: Robert Morris junior guard Velton Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic) almost singlehandedly willed the Colonials to a pair of road wins last week. Jones, the Choice Hotels NEC Co-Player of the Week averaged a robust 28.5 ppg to go along with 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 3.0 spg as the Colonials improved to 6-2 in NEC play on the year. With RMU trailing by three with under eight minutes to play at Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday, he scored seven points and tallied three assists to spark a 20-5 run to end the game and give RMU the 67-55 win. Two nights later, Jones hit a personal-best six three-pointers en-route to a career-high 35 points as the Colonials rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Monmouth, 81-73, in overtime. In the win, he hit a pair of trifectas to key the RMU comeback, then scored six points in the extra session. Jones became the third player in school history to score at least 35 points in a game on two occasions, joining former Colonials Gene Nabors (1995-2000) and Maurice Carter (2001-05). He now ranks sixth in the NEC with 17.0 ppg.
Star Turn for SFPA’s Scott Eatherton: After playing just under ten minutes per game as a freshman, Saint Francis (PA) forward Scott Eatherton (Hershey, PA/Hershey) has turned into a full-fledged star for the Red Flash this season. Eatherton averaged 22.0 points and 12.5 rebounds last week in a pair of double-double efforts. In Saturday’s 69-63 win over Fairleigh Dickinson, the Hershey, PA native finished with 25 points and 11 boards as the Red Flash posted their first road win of the year. Eatherton is currently the only player in league play who ranks in the top-five in rebounding (9.8rpg, 1st), field goal percentage (.624, 2nd), blocks (1.88, 2nd) and scoring (18.8 ppg, 5th). Overall, he is the NEC leader in field goal accuracy (.641) and ranks in the top-10 in scoring (15.2 ppg, 11th), rebounding (7.3 rpg, 9th) and blocks (1.2 bpg, 6th). His field goal percentage is also the fourth-best mark in the nation.
Offensive Firepower on Display at the Pitt: The Sacred Heart-Central Connecticut State clash on Saturday featured the top-four scorers in the NEC on the court at the same time. The foursome delivered, combining for 83 of the game's 123 total points. Sacred Heart junior guard Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly), the NEC’s leading scorer, finished with 26 points and hit the game-winner with six seconds left on the clock to give the Pioneers a 62-61 victory. For CCSU, senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) netted 25, freshman guard Kyle Vinales (Detroit, MI/Phelps School) added 20 and senior guard Robby Ptacek (Bay Shore, NY/Blue Point) chipped in with 12 points. Horton is second in the league with 20.4 ppg, while Vinales is third with 18.6 ppg and Ptacek is fourth with 18.2 ppg.
Monumental Week for SHU’s Louis Montes: Sacred Heart sophomore forward Louis Montes (Brockton, MA/Brockton), the Choice Hotels NEC Co-Player of the Week, certainly turned some heads last week with a pair of breakthrough efforts for the Pioneers, who earned home wins over in-state rivals Quinnipiac and Central Connecticut. Montes, whose season-high was 14 points entering Thursday’s game with the Bobcats, scored a career-high 28 points, hitting 8-11 shots from the floor in a 78-75 triumph. On Saturday, he finished with 21 points and matched a career-best with 14 boards as the Pioneers nipped the Blue Devils, 62-61. Montes’ season averages were boosted by his big week, moving from 5.5 ppg and 4.0 rpg to 7.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg.
Dialing Long Distance: Monmouth’s Dion Nesmith: Monmouth junior guard Dion Nesmith (Union, NJ/Union (Northeastern)) was firing on all cylinders from three-point territory last week, and as a result, established new career-highs in scoring in back-to-back games for the Hawks. Nesmith hit a pair of shots from long range and finished with 14 points in MU’s 68-50 win over Saint Francis (PA) on Thursday. He was near perfect on Saturday, hitting his first eight shots from the floor en-route to a 22-point night in an 81-73 overtime setback at the hands of Robert Morris. Nesmith drained 6-7 shots from outside the arc and was 8-9 from the field. On the week, Nesmith averaged 18.0 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.0 rpg and hit 8-of-12 three-point opportunities.
Bolding's Best: FDU Guard Torches Longwood For 38: To say that Fairleigh Dickinson junior guard Melquan Bolding (Mount Vernon, NY/Bishop Stepanic (Duquesne)) was locked in against Longwood last Monday would be an understatement. Bolding torched the Lancers for a career-high 38 points, including 25 in the second half of a four-point loss. He hit 12-24 from the field, four of which were trifectas, and was 10-10 from the line. The 38 points were the second-most in an NEC game this season and the highest single-game total for an FDU player since Manny Ubilla hit for 39 at Rhode Island on January 2, 2008. It also marked Bolding's second 30+ point game of the year. Bolding currently ranks 13th in the NEC with a team-leading 13.9 ppg.
Top-5 Scoring Games bv NEC Players in 2011-12
Kyle Vinales (CCSU) - 39 points at Niagara (11/14)
Melquan Bolding (FDU) 38 points vs. Longwood (1/16)
Velton Jones (RMU) - 38 points at James Madison (11/22)
Velton Jones (RMU) - 35 points at Monmouth (1/21)
Melquan Bolding (FDU) - 33 points at Lafayette (11/22)
Wagner Climbs Mid-Major Poll: Wagner has now been ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Top-25 poll four straight weeks. In the January 16th edition, the Seahawks jumped two spots to #20 in the poll. Robert Morris and LIU Brooklyn each received votes.
NEC’s RPI Leaders: The NEC currently sports three teams ranked in the top-120 in the RPI. Wagner is currently 92nd, while LIU Brooklyn ranks 104th and Robert Morris 116th.
CCSU's Ptacek: Best Ever At The Line?: Central Connecticut State senior guard Robby Ptacek's (Bay Shore, NY/Blue Point) near perfection at the charity stripe is not a one-year phenomenon. In fact, Ptacek has a chance to close out his career as the top-ranked free throw shooter in the history of the conference. The Bay Shore, NY native has hit 88.6 percent of his attempts over the course of his career, including a league-leading 93.3 percent this season. The only player in league annals with a higher percentage is former CCSU star Tristan Blackwood, who shot 89.1 percent from the line from 2004-08.
Terriers’ Perunicic Climbing NEC Three-Point Chart: St. Francis (NY) senior forward Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Srednja Turisticka Skola) lifted his career three-point total to 261 last week, tops among active NEC players, second in St. Francis history and now 11th on the league’s all-time list. He needs four more trifectas to move into the NEC top-10 and 34 more to surpass the Terrier career mark of 294 set by Angel Santana from 1996-00. Perunicic hit 4-5 from outside the arc in two games last week and is shooting 43.9 percent from long range on the year. He leads the NEC with 2.8 three-pointers made per game.
CCSU’s Horton Leads 20/30 Pack: In the "stellar games" category, no NEC player is even close to Central Connecticut senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining). Horton has racked up 42 games of 20+ points over the course of his career, with his next closest competitor in the NEC being Sacred Heart’s Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly) with 26. He has also tallied eight games of 30+ points, also a league-leading mark and six more than any other NEC player. This season alone, Horton has put up three 30-point outings.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 NEC freshman averaged double-doubles last week. Robert Morris forward Lucky Jones (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony), the Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week, posted 11.5 ppg and 11.5 rpg in a pair of victories, while St. Francis (NY) forward Jalen Cannon (Allentown, PA/William Allen) averaged 10.5 ppg and 10.0 rpg in a split.
8 20+ point games for CCSU freshman guard Kyle Vinales (Detroit, MI/Phelps School) this season.
9 straight games in which St. Francis (NY) has outrebounded its opponent.
10.5 rebounds per game last week for Quinnipiac freshman forward Ousmane Drame (Boston, MA/Marianapolis Prep), including 13 caroms in a 78-71 overtime win over Bryant on Saturday.
11 game road losing streak snapped for Saint Francis (PA) with a 69-63 win over Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday.
12-0 record for Wagner when holding opponents to under 70 points this season.
15 point deficit that Robert Morris recovered from to beat Monmouth on Saturday marked the biggest comeback for the Colonials since rallying from 23 down to beat Youngstown State on November 25, 2008.
15 straight wins for CCSU over the last two seasons when holding opponents to less than 60 points.
26 career double-doubles for CCSU senior forward Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining), most among active NEC players.
30 points, a season-high, for Bryant sophomore forward Alex Francis (Harlem, NY/Holderness Prep (NH)) in an overtime loss to Quinnipiac on Saturday. Francis also added 10 boards in his fifth double-double performance of the year.
35 straight wins for Robert Morris when attempting at least 30 free throws.
50 points allowed by Monmouth in a 68-50 win over Saint Francis (PA) last Thursday marked a season-low for the Hawks.
60 percent shooting from three-point range over the last five games for St. Francis (NY) senior forward Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Srednja Turisticka Skola). He has hit 18-30 from beyond the arc over that stretch.
83.5 percent free throw shooting for St. Francis (NY) over the last five games.
366 days since LIU Brooklyn last lost to an NEC opponent. The Blackbirds have won their last 18 NEC regular season games.
TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES
Bryant (2-17, 1-7 NEC, RPI: 326)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at Central Connecticut L, 69-51; Jan. 21 vs. Quinnipiac L, 78-71 (OT)
This Week: Jan. 23 vs. Brown; Jan. 26 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson; Jan. 28 vs. Monmouth
• Sophomore Alex Francis (Harlem, NY/Holderness Prep) scored a game- and season-high 30 points and recorded his fifth double-double of the season (10 rebounds) to lead Bryant into its first overtime game of the season Saturday against Quinnipiac. Francis went 9-for-19 from the field and hit a career-high 11 free throws (of 14) in his 13th career double-double, also adding an assist and a steal. He was one of four Bulldogs to record double figures against the Bobcats.
• Francis averaged 9.5 rebounds and 21.5 points per game on the week, also picking up 13 points and nine boards in a road loss to CCSU Thursday night, falling just one rebound shy of another double-double effort. Francis went 5-for-6 from the line against the Blue Devils for a 16-of-20 mark from the stripe on the week.
• Junior point guard Frankie Dobbs (Berea, OH/St. Edward) also put in a pair of double-digit point games, averaging 11 ppg on the week. He scored 10 points against CCSU and added 12 more in the overtime home loss to Quinnipiac, also dishing out a season- and game-best eight assists while going 9-of-10 from the line and playing all 45 minutes of the contest. Dobbs, who leads the league in minutes per game, played 83 of a possible 85 minutes in the two-game week.
• Corey Maynard (Adelaide, Australia/Sacred Heart College HS) returned Saturday after missing three-straight games and five of the last six due to injury. The sophomore shooter scored 10 points in his return and played 37 minutes while getting the starting nod.
• Junior guard Dan Calandrillo (Leonardo, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) tied his career high with 12 points on the road against the Blue Devils Thursday night and set a new career mark on the glass with eight rebounds. Calandrillo shot 46.2 percent in a pair of starts on the week.
• Junior Raphael Jordan (Bel Air, MD/John Carroll) also chipped in 14 points against CCSU Thursday night off 50 percent shooting.
- Rookie Ben Altit (Herzeliya, Israel/Rothberg) posted six blocks on the week, five of them coming Thursday night against CCSU in a career effort on defense.
Central Connecticut (9-9, 6-2 NEC, RPI: 212)
Last Week: Jan. 19 vs. Bryant W, 69-51; Jan. 21 at Sacred Heart L, 62-61
This Week: Jan. 26 vs. Monmouth; Jan. 28 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
• The Blue Devils went 1-1 on the week, including a 69-51 victory over Bryant on Thursday night. The win moved the Blue Devils to 7-1 at home this season.
• Senior Ken Horton (Ossining, NY/Ossining) had another productive week, posting a pair of double-doubles. Against Bryant he had 18 points and 11 rebounds. He added 25 points and 14 rebounds in a loss at Sacred Heart on Saturday. He has eight double-doubles on the season and 26 in his career with the Blue Devils. Horton was 16-of-29 from the field, and 9-of-9 from the line on the week.
• The Blue Devils are 8-2 this season when holding their opponent to less than 70 points (losses to Wagner and SHU). They are 6-0 when opponents score less than 60, and have won 15 straight games dating back to last season when holding opponents under 60 points. The last loss came vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 48-46, on Dec. 4, 2010.
• The Blue Devils are 7-1 at home this season and have won 10 of their last 11 home games vs. league opponents. The trio of Robby Ptacek (Bayport, NY/ Blue Point), Ken Horton and Kyle Vinales (Detroit, MI/Phelps School) are all producing at home this season. Ptacek leads the way averaging 21.0 ppg at home, followed by Horton’s 20.0 and Vinales at 17.6. The Blue Devils have forced 144 turnovers in eight games, an average of 18.0 per game, and average 7.5 steals per game at home.
• Vinales had another impressive week for the Blue Devils, as Central went 1-1 with a home win over Bryant and a road loss at Sacred Heart. On Thursday night Vinales scored 18 points and dished out seven assists in an 18-point home win over Bryant. He was 7-for-16 from the field and 4-of-7 from three. On Saturday in a loss to SHU, Vinales had 20 points, including 3-of-7 from three and 5-of-6 from the line. He added five assists. The 20-point output was his eighth of the season. He averaged 19 points, 6 assists and hit 13-of-30 from the field, and 7-of-14 from three.
Fairleigh Dickinson (1-18, 0-8 NEC, RPI: 337)
Last Week: Jan. 16 vs. Longwood L, 87-83; Jan. 19 vs. Robert Morris L, 67-55; Jan. 21 vs. Saint Francis (Pa) L, 69-63
This Week: Jan. 26 at Bryant; Jan. 28 at Central Connecticut
• FDU scored a season-high 83 points in the loss to Longwood.
• FDU dished out a season-best 19 assists on its 29 made baskets in the loss to Longwood.
• FDU tied a season low in turnovers with 11 in the loss to Longwood.
• Junior Melquan Bolding (Mt. Vernon, NY/Bishop Stepinac) scored a career-high 38 points (25 in the second half) in the loss to Longwood. He tied a career-high in field goals made with 12 (on 24 attempts) and made a season-best 10 free throws (in 10 attempts).
• Graduate student George Goode (Raytown, MO/Raytown South) picked up his fifth double-double of the season as he scored 19 points (17 in the second half) and grabbed a game-high 11 rebound in the loss to Longwood.
• Senior Sam Fernley (Sheffield, England/Silverdale) dished out a career-high six assists and did not commit a turnover in 21 minutes played in the loss to Longwood.
• Bolding led the Knights with 15 points the loss to Robert Morris.
• Goode added 12 points, nine rebounds and tied his season high in blocks with three.
• Senior Briahn Smith (Detroit, MI/Madison) added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and made a season-high three free throws in the loss to Robert Morris.
• Sophomore Mathias Seilund (Dragoer, Denmark/Falkonergaardens Gymnasium) chipped in 10 points off the bench in the loss to Robert Morris.
• Junior Lonnie Robinson (Deerfield Beach, FL/Deerfield Beach) came off the bench to lead the Knights with 15 points and four assists in the loss to Saint Francis PA.
• Smith added a season-high 14 points as he shot 5-of-11 from the floor and tied a career high in three-pointers made with four in the loss to Saint Francis (PA).
• Seilund chipped in a season-high 12 points, five rebounds and three steals in the loss to Saint Francis PA.
• The Knights drained a season-high nine three’s on a season-high 22 attempts in the loss to Saint Francis PA.
• FDU has lost a program-record 16 games in a row.
LIU Brooklyn (14-6, 8-0 NEC, RPI: 104)
Last Week: Jan. 19 vs. Mount St. Mary’s; W, 77-62 Jan. 21 at Wagner W, 73-66
This Week: Jan. 26 at Robert Morris; Jan. 28 at Saint Francis (Pa)
• LIU Brooklyn defeated Mount St. Mary’s, 77-62, at home and dealt Wagner a 73-66 loss on its home turf to improve to 8-0 in conference play for the first time in program history. The Blackbirds are 14-6 overall and have won nine straight games and 12 of their last 14.
• The Blackbirds have won 18 consecutive Northeast Conference games dating back to last season. That streak stretches to 21 if you include the NEC Tournament. After dropping the conference opener last season, LIU has gone 24-1 in NEC regular-season contests.
• Dating back to last season LIU Brooklyn has won 19 consecutive home games. That streak is the fifth-longest active one in the country behind Kentucky (47 games), Ohio State (36), North Carolina (28) and Harvard (23).
• Against Mount St. Mary’s, junior Jamal Olasewere (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook) became the 31st player in LIU Brooklyn history to score 1,000 points, joining the club just two games after classmate Julian Boyd (San Antonio, TX/William H. Taft). Olasewere finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds for his seventh double-double and added 18 in the win at Wagner.
• Boyd recorded his eighth double-double of the season at Wagner, leading all players with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
• Sophomore Jason Brickman (San Antonio, TX/Clark) averaged 17 points and six assists for the week. After turning in 17 points and doling out four dimes against the Mount, Brickman hit for 17 again and handed out eight assists at Wagner. The 5-foot-10 point guard has dealt at least five assists on 14 occasions this season. Brickman is shooting 78.9 percent (15-for-19) from long range over his last five games.
Monmouth (4-17, 2-6 NEC, RPI: 283)
Last Week: Jan. 19 vs. Saint Francis (PA) W, 68-50; Jan. 21 vs. Robert Morris L, 81-73 (OT)
This Week: Jan. 26 at Central Connecticut; Jan. 28 at Bryant
• Monmouth stands at 4-17 overall and 2-6 in the NEC after its 1-1 week. The Hawks posted their largest victory of the season over Saint Francis (18 points), but then set a season-high with the largest lead in defeat (15 points) against Robert Morris on Saturday.
• Junior Dion Nesmith (Union, NJ/Union (Northeastern)) posted career-best nights in back-to-back games for the Hawks. On Thursday, he notched 14 points, while on Saturday night against RMU, he hit for 22 points, on 8-of-9 shooting and 6-of-7 from three point range. Nesmith hit his first eight field goals of the game, including six three-pointers.
• Nesmith became the third Hawk to hit six three-pointers in a single-game this year, joining Andrew Nicholas (Wrightsville, PA/Eastern York) (at UNC) and Mike Myers Keitt (Waterbury, CT/Fairfield Prep (Marianapolis Prep)) (at LIU Brooklyn). Nesmith’s 6-for-7 night (85.7%) was the second-highest percentage in a single game (min. of four attempts).
• Myers Keitt now has 860 career points for the Blue and White, in 106 career games played. He is 140 points away from possibly becoming the 19th player in Monmouth’s Division I history and 32nd player all-time to score 1,000 points.
• Monmouth led at the half for just the fourth time this year against Saint Francis. The Hawks, who are now 3-1 when leading at the break (W - Fordham; L - Wagner; W - Mount St. Mary’s; W - Saint Francis), are 1-16 when they trail at the half after falling in overtime to Robert Morris on Saturday.
• Monmouth’s defense held Saint Francis (1/19/12) to a season-low 50 points on Thursday night, nine points fewer than the previous low posted by Mount St. Mary’s.
• Monmouth has lead in a game by double-digits in five contests this year, and are now 3-2 in those games. Monmouth led Fordham by 23 (W), Saint Francis by 19 (W), and Mount St. Mary’s by 15 (W).
• The Hawks led at Rutgers by 10, but fell in the RAC, and held a 15-point, second half lead on Robert Morris before losing in overtime.
• MU hit a season-best 84.2% from the free throw line in the win over Saint Francis on Thursday. MU went 16-for-19 from FT line, including 15-17 in the second half.
• The Hawks opened the second half of the game against RMU on a 19-1 run.
Mount St. Mary's (4-15, 2-6 NEC, RPI: 303)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at LIU Brooklyn L, 77-62; Jan. 21 at St. Francis (NY) L, 79-60
This Week: Jan. 26 at Quinnipiac; Jan. 29 at Sacred Heart
• The Mount lost both games on its trip to Brooklyn this week, falling to LIU Brooklyn (77-62) and St. Francis (NY) (79-60).
• Danny Thompson (Springdale, MD/C.H. Flowers) scored 20 points in the Mount’s loss to LIU Brooklyn, his second career 20-point game, with both coming against the Blackbirds this season. Thompson had 21 points in the Mount’s home loss to LIU in December.
• Julian Norfleet (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown) had his streak of six consecutive games in double figures snapped at LIU when he scored seven. Norfleet rebounded with a 14-point game at St. Francis
• Xavier Owens (Wesley Chapel, FL/Wharton) had a career high 11 points at St. Francis (NY).
• The Mount continues its four-game road swing at Quinnipiac (Jan. 26) and Sacred Heart (Jan. 28) this week.
Quinnipiac (10-9, 3-5 NEC, RPI: 178)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at Sacred Heart L, 78-75; Jan. 21 at Bryant W, 78-71 (OT)
This Week: Jan. 26 vs. Mount St. Mary’s; Jan. 28 vs. Wagner
• The Bobcats went 1-1 in two road games last week. QU dropped a heartbreaker on Thursday night to Sacred Heart, 78-75, beforing outlasting Bryant in an overtime thriller, 78-71, in Smithfield, R.I.
• Three players averaged more than 15 points per game throughout the week for the Bobcats. James Johnson (Queens, NY/Bishop Loughlin) registered 19.5 points and 3.5 assists, including a 23-point effort against Bryant. Dave Johnson (Jackson, NJ/St. Mark’s (MA)) also fared well on the offensive end, as the junior guard scored 18 points in both games. Ike Azotam (Boston, MA/O’Bryant (Marianapolis Prep)) averaged 17 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two outings.
• James Johnson moved ahead of former teammate Justin Rutty for 12th on the all-time scoring list with his performance against the Bulldogs. The Bobcats outscored Bryant 15-8 in the extra frame en route to their 10th win of the season.
• The Bobcats corralled 17 more rebounds than the Bulldogs, 51-34, improving upon their season averages. QU ranks second in total rebounding, first in offensive rebounding and fourth in rebounding margin.
• Ousmane Drame (Boston, MA/New Mission (Marianapolis Prep)) averaged 10.5 boards for the week. He grabbed a game-high 13 against Bryant on Saturday. Zaid Hearst tossed in 12 points for a six-point per game clip.
• The Bobcats return to the hardwood with a pair of home games this week. They welcome Mount St. Mary’s on Thursday before hosting Wagner on Saturday.
Robert Morris (15-6, 6-2 NEC, RPI: 116)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at Fairleigh Dickinson W, 67-55; Jan. 21 at Monmouth W, 81-73 (OT)
This Week: Jan. 26 vs. LIU Brooklyn; Jan. 28 vs. St. Francis (NY)
• Robert Morris pushed its winning streak to three games with a pair of road victories last week, earning a 67-55 victory at Fairleigh Dickinson (1/19/12) before needing overtime to defeat Monmouth (1/21/12), 81-73, in West Long Branch, NJ.
• RMU climbed out of a 15-point deficit in the second half before needing overtime to clip the Hawks, the largest deficit overcome in the two seasons for head coach Andrew Toole of the Robert Morris sideline … The win marks the biggest come-from-behind victory since the Colonials climbed out of a 57-34 deficit against Youngstown State at the Charles L. Sewall Center Nov. 25, 2008.
• Redshirt junior guard Velton Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic) averaged 28.5 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in the two wins, leading the Colonials in scoring in both games … Jones finished with 22 points, six assists and three steals in the victory over the Knights, followed by a game-high 35 points, six assists and a trio of steals in the win over the Hawks.
• Jones became the 20th member of the Robert Morris 1,000-point club in the win over Monmouth, hitting a three-pointer at the 11:56 mark of the first half to reach the threshold … RMU’s active leading scorer, Jones owns 1,024 career points at RMU.
• Jones became the third player in school history to score at least 35 points in a game on two occasions, joining former Colonials Gene Nabors (1995-2000) and Maurice Carter (2001-05) … Jones scored 38 points earlier this season in an 82-77 win @ James Madison (11/22/11) as part of the 2011 Philly Hoop Group Classic.
• Freshman forward Lucky Jones (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony) averaged a double-double in RMU’s two wins last week, averaging 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 46.7 percent (7-for-15) from the floor and 85.7 percent (6-for-7) at the free-throw line.
• Lucky Jones tied career highs in both points (16) and steals (4) in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson before grabbing a career-high 14 caroms to go along with seven points in the victory over Monmouth … Jones had converted 19 straight free throws before missing the front end of a one-on-one situation with 1:58 to go in regulation against the Hawks.
• So far this season Robert Morris is 4-1 when both Velton Jones and Lucky Jones score in double figures in a game
• Robert Morris notched its 35th straight win when visiting the charity stripe at least 30 times last week … The Colonials finished 23-for-34 (67.6 percent) against the Hawks at the free-throw line.
• Junior forward Lijah Thompson (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner) supplied 14 points and five rebounds off the bench in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson, while sophomore guard Anthony Myers (Washington, DC/Charis Prep) produced a career-high 16 points, three assists and two steals in the win over Momouth
• Myers shot perfect against the Hawks, hitting all five of his shots from the field and going 2-for-2 at the chalk
• Sophomore forward Mike McFadden (Newark, NJ/Technology) supplied 10 points and three blocks in the win at Monmouth … In just 11 games so far in a Robert Morris uniform McFadden owns 12 rejections.
• In Toole’s 52 games as head coach at Robert Morris, the Colonials have held their opponents to less than 70 points in 38 of them, a staggering 73 percent of the time … RMU is 28-10 (.737) in those contests.
• Robert Morris returns to the Charles L. Sewall Center for a pair of games this week, hosting LIU Brooklyn Thursday, Jan. 26, before welcoming St. Francis (N.Y.) Saturday, Jan. 28.
Sacred Heart (10-11, 4-4 NEC, RPI: 203)
Last Week: Jan. 19 vs. Quinnipiac W, 78-75; Jan. 21 vs. Central Connecticut W, 62-61
This Week: Jan. 26 vs. Wagner; Jan. 28 vs. Mount St. Mary’s
• Junior Shane Gibson (Killingly, CT/Killingly), the NEC’s leading scorer put up two more 20 point games this week and hit the game-winner in the closing seconds to lead SHU to the win over CCSU. Gibson is averaging 25.0 ppg in eight NEC games this season. He netted 23 in the win over QU and then hit for 26 including the game-winner with 6.7 seconds left in the win over Central. He has nine 20-point efforts in his last 10 games including four-straight.
• The win over Quinnipiac gave the Pioneers the season-sweep over the Bobcats, a first since the 2007-08 season.
• The SHU/CCSU game featured the top-four scorers in the NEC on the court at the same time. The foursome delivered, combining for 83 of the game’s 123 total points. Gibson’s 26 was added to Ken Horton’s 25, Robby Ptacek’s 12 and Kyle Vinales’s 20 point afternoons. The SHU win ended a three-game CCSU winning streak in the series.
• Sophomore Luis Montes (Brockton, MA/Brockton) had a career night to lead the Pioneers past Quinnipiac. Montes scored 28 points making eight-of-13 from the field and nine-of-11 from the free throw line, all career-best marks. He made a season-best three-of-four from behind the arc. Montes came right back for a 21 point, 14 rebound effort in the CCSU win, his first double double this season and the second of his career.
• Junior Nick Greenbacker (Coventry, CT/East Catholic) pitched in a season-high 10 points on Thursday. Greenbacker scored eight-straight points on a 10-0 run in the second half. He has started the last three games for an injured Justin Swidowski (Cinnaminson, NJ/Holy Cross HS).
• Sophomore Evan Kelley (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) returned to the line-up after missing three games with an ankle injury.
St. Francis (NY) (9-10, 6-2 NEC, RPI: 248)
Last Week: Jan. 19 vs. Wagner L, 73-61; Jan. 21 vs. Mount St. Mary’s W, 79-60
This Week: Jan. 26 at Saint Francis (PA); Jan. 28 at Robert Morris
• St. Francis (NY) went 1-1 on the week and saw their four-game winning streak come to an end against Wagner,73-61, on January 19th. The Terriers got back on track with a 79-60 win against the Mount on Saturday evening.
• The Terriers led Wagner, 37-34, at halftime but St. Francis shot just 38 percent in the second half and finished the game with 23 turnovers en route to the defeat.
• Junior forward Akeem Johnson (Brooklyn, NY/Susan S. McKinney) returned to the lineup against the Seahawks after missing two straight games with a shoulder strain. Johnson hit 5-of-6 field goal attempts and scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.
• Sophomore point guard Brent Jones (Brooklyn, NY/Bedford Academy) made his first collegiate start against Wagner and produced six assists and five rebounds. Jones is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds over his last five contests.
• St. Francis cruised to their largest win of the season against the Mount this past Saturday as they shot 55 percent overall (26-of-47) and 56 percent (9-for-16) from 3-point range to sweep the season-series. The Terriers have now won five of their last six meetings with the Mountaineers.
• Senior forward Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Dimitrije Tucovic High School) continued his red-hot shooting as he converted 7-of-8 field goals, hit 4-of-5 treys, and went 3-for-3 from the line en route to a game-high 21 points against the Mount. Perunicic has scored in double-figures in 11 straight contests and is averaging 16.6 ppg. over his last five outings. He’s shooting 63 percent overall (25-for-40, and is 18-of-30 (60 percent) from behind the arc during the stretch. Perunicic, the NEC’s active leader in triples, has a league-high 54 treys and now has drained 261 for his career.
• Freshman power forward Jalen Cannon (Allentown, PA/William Alllen), last week’s NEC Rookie of the Week, recorded his team-leading fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 boards against the Mount. He nearly produced another double-double against Wagner as he came up with 11 points and 9 caroms. Cannon is averaging 10.4 ppg. and 9.6 rpg. over his last five contests. He’s currently tied for 5th in the league in rebounding at 7.8 rpg. and is second on the circuit with a 59 percent field goal percentage.
• Sophomore center Matt Milk (Wantagh, NY/Pine Crest High School (FL)) has converted 18 of his last 23 field goal attempts (78 percent) after starting out the season just 5-for-18 (28 percent. He’s now shooting 56 percent (23-of-41) on the season.
• Sophomore guard P.J. Santavenere (Middletown, CT/Middletown) contributed a career-high 11 points in 18 minutes off the bench against Monmouth.
• The Terriers have outrebounded their opponent in nine straight contests and are now third in the league with a +3.7 differential in the category. They have won the battle of the boards in 14 of their 19 contests.
• After their early-season struggles from the line, the Terriers have been terrific from the stripe over the last five contests. St. Francis is 81-of-97 (84 percent) during the stretch and have moved into 6th in the NEC with a season mark of 68 percent.
• Sophomore Ben Mockford (Shoreham-by-Sea, England/Oak Hill Academy (VA)) is just 8-for-36 (22 percent) from behind the arc in the Terriers eight home contests this season. He’s hit 43-of-105 (41 percent)of his attempts on the road. Mockford is still 3rd in the conference with 2.68 treys per game.
• The Terriers will travel to St. Francis (PA) and Robert Morris this week.
Saint Francis (PA) (5-14, 4-4 NEC, RPI: 312)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at Monmouth L, 68-50; Jan. 21 at Fairleigh Dickinson W, 69-63
This Week: Jan. 26 vs. St. Francis (NY); Jan. 28 Vs. LIU Brooklyn
• The Red Flash ended an 11-game road losing streak Saturday with their win over FDU. It marked the first road win of the season.
• Scott Eatherton (Hershey, PA/Hershey) has posted four double-doubles this season, all of which have come on the road. The sophomore is the only player in the NEC who ranks in the top-5 in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots.
• Kameron Ritter (Niskayuna, NY/Christian Boys Academy) continues to stuff the stat sheet for the Red Flash. On the weekend, Ritter averaged 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game and posted a career-high six helpers against FDU.
• Jon Taylor (Bowie, MD/Montgomery College-Germantown) posted double-digits in score for the third time in his last four games.
• After scoring just 50 points against Monmouth Thursday, the Red Flash responded with 40 points in the first half Saturday against FDU.
• The Red Flash play three of their next five on their home floor, where they own a 4-4 record this season.
Wagner (15-4, 6-2 NEC, RPI: 92)
Last Week: Jan. 19 at St. Francis (NY) W, 73-61; Jan. 21 vs. LIU Brooklyn L, 73-66
This Week: Jan. 26 at Sacred Heart; Jan. 28 at Quinnipiac
• Wagner went 1-1 on the week, besting St. Francis (NY) (1/19) 73-61 before losing to LIU Brooklyn (1/21) 73-66 in a game that was televised nationally by ESPNU
• The Seahawks are 15-4 and 6-2 in the NEC and are off to their best 19-game start since the 1955-1956 season
• With the win over the Terriers, the Green & White collected its eighth-straight win for its longest winning streak since the 1978-1979 season.
• Also in the victory over St. Francis (NY), the Green & White forced 23 turnovers leading to a 28-6 advantage in points off turnovers. Additionally, all seven of the Terriers’ first-half miscues resulted in Wagner points, leading to a 15-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Wagner is 12-0 when limiting the opposition to under 70 points and 11-1 when scoring at least 70.
• The Seahawks swept the season-series from St. Francis (NY) for the first time since the 2004-2005 season and just the ninth time in series history, thanks to outscoring the Terriers by a combined 93-47 margin after halftime.
• After halftime in the Green & White’s six NEC victories, Wagner outscored its opposition by 11.0 points per game while shooting a blistering 51.3 percent, compared to just a combined 38.4 percent for its six opponents, and 38.9 percent from long range, compared to 22.5 percent for the opposition.
• Wagner then saw its streak come to an end with a tough seven-point loss to the Blackbirds before a school-record crowd of 2,412.
• The game was the first-ever regular season telecast in the Spiro Sports Center on the ESPN Family of Networks.
• Senior Tyler Murray (Toronto, Ontario/Eastern Commerce) was honored for scoring his 1,000th point against Santa Clara in a pregame ceremony prior to the game with LIU Brooklyn.
• Sophomore Latif Rivers (Elizabeth, NJ/Avon Old Farms (CT)) led the team in scoring with 17 points and now has 702 for his career.
• Freshman Mario Moody (East Orange, NJ / East Orange Campus) recorded a team-best 10 rebounds with 12 points for his second career double-double.
• The Green & White were ranked 20th in the most recent Mid-Majority Mid-Major poll and have garnered one vote in each of the last four Associated Press (AP) Top-25 polls.