NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK presented by 
Peter Kiss, Bryant
6’5”, 200 lbs.
R-Sr., G, New York, NY/Notre Dame Prep (Rutgers)
Kiss claims his second NEC Player of the Week honor of the season for a red-hot Bryant squad that improved to 5-1 in conference play with a home sweep of CCSU. Kiss did it all for the Bulldogs, supplying 19.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game, while hitting 53.6 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the line. In Thursday’s 93-68 win over the Blue Devils, Kiss became the first player in Bryant’s DI history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He followed with a career-high 27 points on 11-16 shooting, and added seven rebounds, three assists and four steals in a 76-64 victory on Friday. Kiss ranks among NEC leaders in no less than eight major statistical categories, including scoring (17.8, 5th), rebounds (5.7, 17th), assists (3.3, 10th), steals (2.5, 4th), FG percentage (53.5, 11th), FT percentage (.840, 4th), 3P percentage (.419, 8th) and 3P made (1.6, 12th).
Tyler Thomas, Sacred Heart
6’3”, 195 lbs.
So., G, Amity, CT/Amity Regional (Williston Northampton)
Following a promising freshman campaign, Thomas has emerged as an elite scorer for the Pioneers, who come off their third straight NEC split last week. The 6’3” guard caught fire in two games at Merrimack, averaging 29.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per outing. He drained 11 shots from downtown at a 42.3 percent clip, and also made 81.3 percent of his opportunities at the stripe. Thomas was unstoppable on Thursday, dropping a career-high and NEC single-game season-best 36 points, including a 7-16 mark from three-point territory in an overtime setback. One day later, he finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 68-62 win. Thomas, who averaged 5.6 ppg a year ago, is second in the league with 19.8 ppg and 3.33 triples per contest.
NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK presented by
Matas Spokas, Sacred Heart
6’7”, 195 lbs.
Fr., F, Kaunas, Lithuania/United Prep
Spokas makes it back-to-back NEC Rookie of the Week award winners for the Pioneers, joining classmate Mike Sixsmith, who was honored on December 23. Earning his first two career starts, the Kaunas, Lithuania native registered 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in a split with Merrimack. He shot 62.5 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from outside the arc and 80.0 percent from the line. Spokas matched his career-high with 18 points on 6-9 shooting in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Warriors, then tallied nine points, six rebounds and four assists as SHU bounced back with a 68-62 win the following afternoon. He ranks third on the Pios with 9.4 ppg on the season.
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Chris Childs (BRY, Jr, G)
Childs was splashing from long distance once again, hitting six shots from beyond the arc at a 40.0 percent clip on his way to averaging 19.5 ppg off the bench for the Bulldogs. The junior also made all nine of his free throws as Bryant improved to 5-1 in NEC play with a pair of wins over CCSU. Childs logged a career-high 20 points on 6-8 shooting in Thursday’s victory and added 19 more one day later. He is third in the NEC with 3.3 triples per game and sits fourth in three-point percentage at 46.8 percent.
Peter Kiss (BRY, R-Sr, G)
Kiss excelled in all facets of the game last week, supplying Bryant with 19.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 6.5 apg, 3.5 spg in a sweep of CCSU. He made 53.6 percent of his shots from the floor, 40.0 percent from downtown and 87.5 percent from the stripe. Kiss became the first player in Bryant history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Bulldogs posted a 93-68 over the Blue Devils on Thursday. Kiss ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring (17.8), 17th in rebounds (5.7), 10th in assists (3.3), fourth in steals (2.5), 11th in field goal accuracy (53.5), fourth in free throw percentage (.840), eighth in three-point percentage (.419) and 12th in made three-pointers (1.6).
Ty Flowers (LIU, R-Sr, F)
Flowers stuffed the stat sheet in LIU’s 2-0 week with 15.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.5 bpg and 4.0 spg. The redshirt senior did it all in the first of two wins over SFU, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and seven steals. Flowers ranks third in the NEC in scoring (18.5), fourth in rebounding (8.8), third in steals (2.5) and sixth in blocks (1.3).
Eral Penn (LIU, R-Jr, F)
Penn posted a pair of double-doubles to raise his league-leading total to three on the year as LIU completed a home sweep of SFU. He contributed 11 points and 11 boards in the Thursday’s opener, then set a career-high with 20 points on 8-13 shooting to go along with 12 boards in Friday’s victory. For the week, the junior posted 15.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.0 spg and made 54.5 percent of his shot opportunities. Penn is averaging 14.0 ppg and ranks second on the circuit with 9.3 rpg.
Jordan Minor (MC, So, F)
Minor averaged 14.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg to lead Merrimack to a split in its first action of the 2020-21 campaign. He had a career game in the opener against Sacred Heart, posting his first-ever double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds - both personal-bests - in a 97-90 overtime win. Minor shot 50.0 percent from the field and added 1.5 bpg.
Tyler Thomas (SHU, So, G)
Thomas exploded for 29.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 4.0 apg in a career week for the sophomore. He made 11-26 ( .423) from outside the arc and shot 81.0 percent from the line. Thomas dropped a career-high 36 points, hitting 7-16 from distance, in Thursday’s OT loss at Merrimack, then came back with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists the following afternoon in a 68-62 win. The 36 points was the most by an NEC player and the 15th-highest scoring effort in the nation this season. Thomas is the NEC’s second-leading scorer at 19.8 ppg and also ranks second in made three-pointers with 3.33 per outing.
Chauncey Hawkins (SFBK, Sr, G)
Hawkins sparked the Terriers to a sweep over the Mount with 19.0 ppg and 6.0 apg. He shot at a 50.0 percent clip from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range. In Thursday’s 70-55 win he led all scorers with a season-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting and dished out a career-high tying seven assists. Hawkins went on to add 15 points and five assists in Friday’s 67-55 triumph. Hawkins now has 1,102 points in his career to tie Lester Yellin for 24th on the Terriers’ all-time scoring list. Hawkins ranks second on SFBK with 13.9 ppg on the year.
Ramiir Dixon-Conover (SFU, Sr, G)
Dixon-Conover returned after a three game absence to contribute 15.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and 2.0 spg while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor in two games at LIU. He matched his career highs with 21 points on 10-16 shooting and snared seven rebounds in Friday’s game. A day earlier, he dished out a career-high six assists in his first appearance since November 28.
TOP STORYLINES FROM #NECMBB WEEK FIVE
Here’s all you need to know from week five of the 2020-21 season...
WELCOME BACK MACK
It was a long time coming - 44 days to be exact - but defending NEC regular season champion Merrimack finally made its 2020-21 debut last Thursday.
The Warriors did not disappoint, winning their season opener in thrilling fashion, rallying from 14 down in the second half to knock off visiting Sacred Heart, 97-90, in overtime.
Outside of the Ivy League and individuals schools that have opted out, Merrimack was the third-to-last DI team to suit up this season. American and Loyola (MD) both begin their season on January 16.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Warriors won by making chaos on the court, racking up 15 steals while forcing 22 turnovers. A year ago, Merrimack led the NEC in steals, steal percentage, turnovers forced, turnover margin and turnover rate.
Six players scored in double digits, led by sophomore forward Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May), who established career-highs with 20 points and 12 boards. Classmate Ziggy Reid (Baltimore, MD/St. Paul’s School) added 17 points and nine rebounds - also career-bests - and junior Mikey Watkins (Roselle, NJ/Linden) did it all with 19 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals. Watkins is one of five players this season to record at least 19/5/6/5 in a game this season.
BRYANT’S KISS RECORDS TRIP-DUB
Triple-doubles in the NEC are about as rare as a Ben Simmons three-pointer.
On Thursday, Bryant redshirt senior Peter Kiss (New York, NY/Notre Dame Prep (Rutgers)) became the first NEC player to pull off the rare feat in nearly two years.
Kiss broke through with a 12-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist performance in Bryant’s 93-68 win over CCSU.
He is one of eight players in the nation this season to register a triple-double and the seventh to do so vs. a DI opponent. Kiss is also the first Bryant player to record a triple-double in its DI history.
To put his performance in perspective, there have been just 11 triple-doubles recorded by NEC players over the last 24 years.
Most Recent NEC Triple-Doubles
Peter Kiss, BRY (1/7/21): 12 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists vs. CCSU
Tyler Kohl, CCSU (1/10/19): 27 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists vs. FDU
Keith Braxton, SFU (2/1/18): 12 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists vs. FDU
Stephan Jiggetts, FDU (11/19/16): 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Lipscomb
James Feldeine, QU (2/25/10): 19 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Monmouth
Tony Lee, RMU (2/14/08): 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. CCSU
Tony Lee, RMU (2/9/08): 13 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. LIU
John Bunch, MU (2/3/07): 11 points, 11 rebounds, 10 blocks vs. SFNY
Kason Mims, QU (3/1/04): 18 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. LIU
Nate Pondexter, QU (1/16/99): 14 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists vs. RMU
Rahshon Turner, FDU (11/22/97): 13 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks vs. Hartford
The most notable nugget from this list is that Tony Lee’s triple-doubles for Robert Morris in 2008 came in back-to-back games. He is the only DI player in the last 27 seasons and one of just six players in NCAA history to record back-to-back triple doubles, joining LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal (Feb. 19-22, 1992), Memphis’ Penny Hardaway (Jan. 4-6, 1993), Vermont’s Kevin Roberson (Jan. 7-9, 1992), SMU’s Gerald Lewis (March 3-6, 1993) and Texas A&M’s David Edwards (Mar. 5-10, 1994).
LIU’S FLOWERS’ FILLS IT UP TO ACHIEVE RARE STAT LINE
He pretty much did it all.
LIU redshirt senior forward Ty Flowers (Waterbury, CT/Sacred Heart (UMass)) ticked off every box in last Thursday’s 78-75 win over Saint Francis U.
Flowers finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and seven steals in 31 minutes in the Sharks’ home opener.
In doing so, he became the first player nationally in over a decade to put up the 21p/9r/4a/3b/7s line. The last to do it was Florida State and future NBA player Chris Singleton, who tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and 10 steals in a triple-double effort against UNC Greensboro on November 14, 2010.
BRYANT STORMS UP NET RANKINGS, STAT CHARTS
With a 9-2 record, including a 5-1 record in NEC play, first place Bryant has made some waves nationally this season.
The Bulldogs, who posted a 93-88 win over UMass to close out December and fell at Syracuse by one point in its season opener, enter this week on a six-game win streak.
With the wins adding up, Bryant debuted at #91 in the initial NCAA Net Rankings announcement last week. The Bulldogs moved up to #85 following its sweep of CCSU.
Bryant’s high octane attack currently also has them sitting pretty in a host of offensive categories nationally:
Category Stats Rank
Tempo 76.8 3rd
Scoring 91.4 ppg 4th
3PFG% .409 9th
3PFG/game 10.3 17th
Effective FG% .559 24th
FG% .491 28th
FT% .765 32nd
SIXSMITH’S SIZZLING START
The name of the game is to make shots and Sacred Heart freshman guard Mike Sixsmith (Hicksville, NY/Holy Trinity) is off to an eye-opening start as a sharpshooter.
Sixsmith currently ranks second in the nation in offensive rating (164.1) on the strength of an astounding 84.4 effective field goal percentage and 86.0 true shooting percentage.
Sixsmith, who won NEC Rookie of the Week honors back on December 23, is averaging 9.1 ppg on 59.4 percent shooting from the field and a scorching 61.5 percent from three-point territory, where he has hit 16-of-26 over his first seven games. Throw in 90.9 percent accuracy from the line and a 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and you can see why SHU fans are excited about the Hicksville, NY product’s potential on a promising young Pioneer squad.
GRASSO RECOGNIZED
Bryant head coach Jared Grasso was named one of the top 40 rising head coaches in DI basketball by Silver Waves Media last week.
Now in his third season in Smithfield, the first place Bulldogs have won six straight games, have posted a 5-1 mark in NEC play, and at 9-2 are off to the best start in their DI history.
TERRIER DEFENSE HAS SOME BITE
After heading into intermission trailing in both its games against Mount St. Mary’s last week, St. Francis Brooklyn turned things around in a big way in the second half, using a pair of tenacious defensive efforts to pick up a pair of home victories.
The Terriers allowed a combined 43 points and permitted just 36.2 shooting from the field after halftime in the two games, while outscoring the Mount by 37 points.
SFBK yielded just 0.81 PPP in the 70-55 and 67-55 wins.
SHARKS CLAMPING DOWN
Known for its high scoring offense during the Derek Kellogg era, LIU flipped the script last week.
The Sharks were opportunistic on the defensive end on its way to a pair of home wins over Saint Francis U. LIU forced a combined 48 turnovers over the two outings, including an NEC single-game season-high 27 in Thursday’s 78-75 win.
LIU leads the league with a 26.7 percent turnover rate and 20.5 turnovers forced per game in conference play, and ranks second with a +6.5 turnover margin and 8.8 steals per game.
SFU’S LAND ON POINT
Saint Francis U’s Maxwell Land (Cincinnati, OH/Archbishop Moeller) is yet another promising NEC freshman who has proved to be an adept shotmaker early in his Red Flash career.
Land, who has started all seven games, is shooting 52.6 percent from the field, including a 62.5 percent mark for three-point range, where he has made 10-of-16 on the year.
The 6’4” shooting guard with the smooth southpaw stroke ranks sixth nationally among freshman and 58th overall with a 65.8 effective field goal percentage.
Last week, Land averaged 10.5 ppg on 58.3 percent shooting and a 4-7 (.571) mark from distance against LIU.
BRYANT & SAINT FRANCIS U TO CLASH ON ESPN+
The NEC’s TV package resumes this week from Loretto when red-hot Bryant will make its longest trip of the year to take on Saint Francis U.
The game will air at 7:00 pm exclusively on ESPN+.
Pat Farabaugh (PxP) and 2000-01 NEC Coach of the Year Dave Calloway are in the booth.
Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) - all for just $12.99/month.
RESCHEDULED GAMES
FDU's home game vs. Wagner on January 7 has been rescheduled to February 13.
FDU's home series against St. Francis Brooklyn on January 14-15 has been shifted to February 16-17.
STAT ATTACK
Bryant (third), LIU (16th) and St. Francis Brooklyn (23rd) all rank in the top-25 nationally in adjusted tempo. They are a combined 12-4 in NEC play.
Playing fast, Bryant is taking 37.7 percent of its shots in transition to rank first nationally.
CCSU junior guard Zach Newkirk (Raleigh, NC/Brunswick CC) set career-highs for scoring in successive contests at Bryant last week with 11 points last Thursday and 14 the following day. He shot 55.6 percent from the field. Teammate Karrington Wallace (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Wood) posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds on Friday.
Merrimack made 75.0 percent of its shots in transition in its split with Sacred Heart last week.
Home teams are 15-6 in conference play thus far in 2020-21, a .714 win percentage.
LIU redshirt senior forward Ty Flowers (Waterbury, CT/Sacred Heart (UMass)) is 24 points shy of reaching 1,000 in his career as a member of the Sharks. He also scored 149 playing at UMass during the 2016-17 season.
Merrimack junior guard Mikey Watkins (Roselle, NJ/Linden) filled the stat sheet for the Warriors, averaging 13.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 5.5 rpg and 3.0 spg last week. In Thursday’s 97-90 overtime win over Sacred Heart, Watkins finished with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, five steals and just one turnover to set career-highs in points and match his career-bests in assists and field goals made (eight).
St. Francis Brooklyn senior guard Chauncey Hawkins (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional) passed Ricky Cadell to move up to fourth on the school’s all-time free throws made list with 323 during his time as a Terrier.
St. Francis Brooklyn’s graduate student guard Unique McLean (Brooklyn, NY/The MacDuffie School (UMass)) established a new career-high with 14 rebounds - despite measuring just 6’2” - in Friday’s win over Mount St. Mary’s.
Saint Francis U senior forward Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, PA/Pennsbury) opened the season making 7-16 (.438) from the line over his first four games, but has gone a perfect 10-10 from the stripe over the last three contests.
Saint Francis U freshman guard Ronell Giles Jr. (Brandywine, MD/Charles Herbert Flowers) poured in a team and career-high 19 points, and added four assists and three steals at LIU on Thursday. He went 8-11 from the field in the second double-digit scoring output of his young career. Giles scored 10 points in the Red Flash’s opening night win at Pitt.
NEC in NCAA STATS (Top-25)
Name School Category Rank Value
Chris Childs BRY 3P/game 18th 3.27
Chris Childs BRY 3P% 19th .468
Hall Elisias BRY Blocks 5th 3.09
Elijah Ford WC FG% 21st .621
Ty Flowers LIU Off. Reb. 8th 4.25
Ty Flowers LIU Steals 19th 2.45
Jermaine Jackson Jr. LIU 3P/game 4th 4.00
Jermaine Jackson Jr. LIU 3P% 21st .462
Peter Kiss BRY Trip-Dub 2nd 1
Peter Kiss BRY Steals 22nd 2.50
Tyler Thomas SHU 3P/game 14th 3.33
Team Category Rank Value
Bryant Scoring 4th 91.4
Bryant 3P% 9th .409
Bryant 3P/game 17th 10.3
Bryant Assists 24th 17.7
Bryant 3P% Def. 21st .279
Bryant Def. Reb. 10th 30.6
LIU TO Forced 4th 20.5
LIU TO Margin 7th 6.5
LIU Off. Reb. 14th 14.3
Saint Francis U 3P% Def. 7th .255
Wagner Off. Reb. 9th 14.6