Smith, Jr. Named NEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Darin Smith, Jr. of the Central Connecticut men's basketball team was named NEC Player of the Week it was announced on Wednesday. Smith claimed the honor for a league-leading fourth time, including for the second straight week.
Smith averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists last week while shooting 14-of-28 (.500) overall, 5-of-9 (.556) on three-pointers, and 16-of-18 (.889) at the foul line. He scored 34 points with nine rebounds and two assists in a win at Saint Francis. He connected on 4-of-4 three-pointers in the game and had 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting after halftime. Smith went 4-of-4 at the foul line in the final minute to help seal win. In the second game of the week he had a team-high 15 points at Mercyhurst.
Joining Smith as a Prime Performer was Jay Rodgers. Rodgers averaged 12.0 points, 10.5 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals last week, while shooting 6-of-18 overall, 4-of-10 on three-pointers and 8-of-11 (.727) at foul line. He had his third double-double with 13 points, 13 assists along with two steals in the win at Saint Francis. He shot 8-of-9 at foul line and committed just one turnover in 34 minutes. On Monday, Rodgers had 11 points, eight assists against one turnover at Mercyhurst.
The Blue Devils return home and will host FDU on Friday night before travelling to Stonehill for a Sunday afternoon contest.
