DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced the Corvias ECAC Men’s Basketball Players of the Week for the week ending Dec. 6.
DIVISION I
Player of the Week
A.J. English – Iona College, Sr., Guard, Wilmington, Del.
English led Iona to a 2-0 mark to start MAAC play, averaging 31.0 points, 8.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks while posting a 60.6 percent field goal percentage including 65.2 percent from beyond the arc. English began the week with a historic 46-point, eight assist effort vs. Fairfield tying the MAAC single-game scoring record, recording the second-highest point total and the ninth 40+ point effort in Iona history. It was highest point scoring total in the NCAA this season. It was the first 45-plus point, 5-plus assist effort since BYU's Jimmer Fredette in 2011 and just the 18th in the NCAA in the last 20 seasons of play. With 15 field goals and eight assists, English was involved in 23 of Iona's 37 field goals. English followed up the performance with a well-balanced and efficient effort. He recorded 16 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and three blocks. English hit five of eight field goal attempts and all four free throws in the win against Marist.
Rookie of the Week
Antwon Portley – Saint Peter’s University, Fr., Guard, Lancaster, Texas
Portley averaged 18.0 points per game while shooting 52.2 percent (12-for-23) from the floor, 42.9 percent from behind the arc (6-for-14) and 75.0 percent (6 of 8) from the free throw line to help Saint Peter’s to its first 2-0 league start since the 2010-11 season. The freshman scored a game-high 25 points in a 73-61 win against Rider on Wednesday after shooting 66.7 percent (10-for-15) from the floor and 55.6 percent (5 of 9) from 3-point land along with adding four rebounds and three assists to give the Peacocks its first 1-0 league start since the 2012-13 campaign. The Lancaster, Texas native scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half against the Broncs, including keying an 18-4 run to start the second half with seven points to extend the Peacocks lead to 23-points. The freshman then added 11 points in a 72-68 win against Siena on Sunday. Portley had nine of his 11 points in the second half against the Saints, including six in the final two minutes and 38 seconds to help stave off a furious comeback attempt by Siena.