Dec. 13, 2010

MBB Release - Dec. 15 in PDF Format

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Fordham's Brenton Butler and Duquesne's T.J. McConnell were named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, as announced by the league office on Monday.

Butler led Fordham to perfect 2-0 record scoring over 20 points twice in wins over Manhattan and St. John's last week. The senior guard shot 53.8 (14-of-26) percent from the floor including 50.0 percent from three-point range and 81.8 percent from the charity stripe. With the Rams clinging to a one-point lead late in the game against the Red Storm, Butler hit a jumper with 14 seconds left to give Fordham an 84-81 advantage solidifying the victory. He finished the game with 22 points and three assists. The win snapped a three-game losing streak to St. John's while the 84 points are the most points scored by Fordham in the series history.

The Norcross, Ga., native opened the week with a 21-point, four-assist performance against Manhattan. Butler has three 20-point games this year and 18 in his career. With 1,265 career points, he now sits 14th on Fordham's all-time scoring list. Fordham's three-game win streak is the longest since winning five in a row back in 2007.

McConnell averaged 19.0 points, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 62.5 percent from the field in leading Duquesne in scoring in both games last week. The freshman guard scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second half of the Dukes' 81-71 road victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay. He finished the game shooting 8-of-10 from the field while adding seven assists against the Phoenix.

The Pittsburgh, Pa., native followed that performance with 18 points, four assists and five steals as Duquesne dropped a 64-61 contest to West Virginia at the CONSOL Energy Center. For the season, McConnell is averaging 12.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game while shooting 60.3 percent from the field.

Fordham is off until Wednesday, December 22 when the Rams look to extend their win streak against Kennesaw State inside Rose Hill Gym. Duquesne returns to the hardwood on Saturday, December 18 as the Dukes host IUPUI at 7:00 p.m.

Atlantic 10 Weekly Honor Roll
St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson posted a double-double last week averaging 18.0 points and 12.5 rebounds - hit the game-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds left to lead the Bonnies past St. John's, while scoring his 1,000th point against Niagara...Jerrell Williams of La Salle averaged 16.5 points and shot 52.2 percent from the floor in leading the Explorers to a 1-1 record last week...Dayton's Chris Johnson led the Flyers averaging 21.0 points and 9.5 rebounds...Rhode Island's Delroy James led the Rams in scoring (25), rebounds (10), assists (3) and steals (4) - becoming the first URI player to do so since James performed the feat in 2008-09 vs. Akron - averaged 21.5 points as URI went 1-1 last week...Charlotte's Derrio Green had back-to-back games in double figures as the 49ers went 1-1 last week...Temple's Ramone Moore scored 30 points as the Owls upset #9 Georgetown at home while giving head coach Fran Dunphy career-win No. 400.

--www.atlantic10.com--