Robinson and Portley Earn the Season's First Men's Basketball Weekly Honors
MAAC Sports
Player of the Week
Justin Robinson, Monmouth
Jr., G, 5-8, 160, Lake Katrine, NY/Kingston
Robinson led the Hawks to one of the biggest wins in school history on Friday night when Monmouth upset UCLA in Pauley Pavilion, 84-81 in overtime. The Lake Katrine, NY native tallied 16 points while dishing out three assists in 39 minutes of work. The Monmouth defensive effort was largely responsible for the win as the Hawks turned the Bruins over 23 times, with Robinson personally recording six steals on the night. Monmouth turned the ball over just five times in the game while out running UCLA 8-0 in transition points. The Hawks overcame a 13-point second half deficit and a five-point gap in overtime to knock off the Bruins on opening night, going on a 9-1 run to finish the game.
Rookie of the Week
Antwon Portley, Saint Peter’s
Fr., G, 6-4, 165, Lancaster, TX/Lancaster
Portley averaged 19.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his first two collegiate games, including posting a career-high 30 points in a 77-65 win against Brown on Friday. The freshman posted 23 of his 30 points in the second half and powered a decisive 30-9 run in the second half with 13 points. The Texas native also had five points in a 9-4 run to end the first half and trim the margin to two points going into the locker room. Portley went 10-for-21 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line en route to becoming the second player under head coach John Dunne and first freshman to register 30 points in his Saint Peter's debut and give the Peacocks its first 1-0 start since the 2012-13 season. Portley then scored nine points in an 87-86 overtime loss against Lafayette (the defending Patriot League Champions), including posting two baskets in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime.