BOSTON – Vermont sits all alone atop the Men’s #AEHoops standings after an impressive road trip which featured wins over previously unbeaten UMass Lowell and Bryant. Overall six other teams earned one victory last week in a number of close contests.
Need to Know
- Road teams continue to find success in conference play and are 18-10 overall, after a 6-2 week last week.
- Vermont extended its nation-leading conference winning streak to 21 games with two road wins, beating UMass Lowell 72-65 in overtime and then shutting down Bryant 67-57.
- The Catamount defense held UML and Bryant to 15 and 22 points below their season average in the wins. UVM is 6-0 in league play while the other two dropped to 5-1.
- UAlbany snapped a three-game skid to get back to .500 in conference play with an 86-79 win over New Hampshire. The Wildcats are still 4-3 in league play, thanks to a win over Binghamton on Thursday.
- The Bearcats secured their first conference win on Saturday as Symir Torrence hit the game-winner with less than five seconds remaining.
- NJIT also earned its first #AEHoops win, coming back from being down 22 points at the half to stun UMBC on the road. Kjell de Graaf provided the game-winner in the final 20 seconds.
- UMass Lowell looks to rebound from its loss with home contests against Maine and New Hampshire this week.
- Vermont is also home twice, hosting UAlbany and Binghamton. Bryant hosts UMBC on Thursday in what could be one of the highest scoring conference games this year.
America East Links
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops game this season regardless of where they live! The majority games will air on The AE on ESPN, either ESPN+ or ESPN3, in the United States. Games will also be available internationally on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
The men’s #AEHoops preseason poll was announced on Oct. 18.
2023-24 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 29)
Player of the Week
Ileri Ayo-Faleye, Vermont – F, Jr. Lebanon, Pa.
- Averaged 10.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in 2-0 week as UVM took sole possession of first place with a pair of road victories.
- Anchored a defense which held the two highest scoring offenses in the league to 15 and 22 points below their season averages. It was the second-lowest scoring performance of the season for each team.
- Went off for 15 points, ten rebounds and five blocks in an overtime win at UML.
- This is Ayo-Faleye’s first career #AEHoops Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Tariq Francis, NJIT - Fr., Guard, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Averaged 19.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg in a 1-1 week for the Highlanders.
- Had 22 points and nine rebounds as NJIT came back from down 22 points in the second half to beat UMBC.
- This is Francis' sixth #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor of the season, all in the last seven weeks.
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 13 – Player of the Week: Dion Brown, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Evan Ashe, Binghamton
Nov. 20 – Player of the Week: Sherif Gross-Bullock, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Sebastian Robinson, NJIT
Nov. 27 – Player of the Week: Amar'e Marshall, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Sebastian Robinson, NJIT
Dec. 4 – Player of the Week: Ahmad Robinson, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Sebastian Robinson, NJIT
Dec. 11 - Player of the Week: Tymu Chenery, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Ace Valentine, UMBC
Dec. 18 – Player of the Week: Earl Timberlake, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
Dec. 26 – Player of the Week: Earl Timberlake, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
Jan. 2 – Player of the Week: Jonathan Beagle, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Gavin Walsh, Binghamton
Jan. 8 – Player of the Week: Sherif Gross-Bullock, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
Jan. 15 – Player of the Week: Sebastian Thomas, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
Jan. 22 – Player of the Week: Earl Timberlake, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
Jan. 29 – Player of the Week: Ileri Ayo-Faleye, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Tariq Francis, NJIT
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