NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jordan Minor, Merrimack
6’8”, 240 lbs.
Sr., F, Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May
Minor was sensational in Merrimack’s home sweep of LIU and Saint Francis U that lifted the Warriors to sole possession of third place in the NEC standings with a 7-4 mark. He averaged 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 blocks and 2.0 steals while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor. Under the bright lights on Thursday, the senior became the first player nationally since at least 2010 to compile at least 25 points, 13 boards, a career-high seven dimes and four rejections in a game as Merrimack downed the Sharks, 76-59, on CBSSN. He came back two days later to post 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals in a 70-66 victory over SFU. Minor, who hails from Kingston, MA, ranks second in the NEC in scoring (17.1) and rebounding (8.8), paces the circuit in blocks (2.6) and double-doubles (nine) and is third in field goal accuracy (.531). He is eighth nationally in blocks as well.

NEC MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Javon Bennett, Merrimack
5’11”
Fr., G, Orlando, FL/Trinity Prep
Now an indispensable figure in Merrimack’s lineup, Bennett collected his third straight NEC Rookie of the Week award for his role in leading the Warriors to home wins over LIU and Saint Francis U. Bennett compiled 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals per content, and converted at a 47.6 percent rate from the field. The Orlando, FL native stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Merrimack’s 76-59 win against LIU before a big crowd at Lawler rink on Thursday in a nationally televised affair, then came back to score a career-high 20 points in Saturday’s 70-66 conquest of SFU. Bennett paces the NEC and ranks fifth nationally with 2.7 spg. He is the league’s third-leading freshman scorer (8.2) and ranks tenth overall in assists (2.6). 

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
  
Joe Munden Jr. (FDU, Jr, G)
Munden Jr. has elevated his play in recent weeks, and on Saturday provided the Knights with a career-high 23 points on 8-11 shooting in a tight loss to Wagner. He made 5-7 from downtown and had three steals. Munden, who has reached double figures in six straight games, averages 11.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg.

Demetre Roberts (FDU, Gr, G)
On a day that saw him score his 2,000th career point, Roberts had a fine all-around game against Saint Francis U. He finished with 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Roberts, who leads the NEC with 4.4 apg, also ranks third in scoring (16.7), sixth in made 3P (1.9/game) and fifth in free throw percentage (.781).

R.J. Greene (LIU, Fr, G)
Greene posted his second career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and added two assists and a steal at Merrimack on Thursday. He is averaging 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rebounds and ranks second in the NEC with 3.6 apg.

Javon Bennett (MC, Fr, G)
In taking home his third consecutive NEC Rookie of the Week honor, Bennett supplied the Warriors with 15.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 2.5 spg across wins against LIU and SFU. He netted 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a 76-59 victory against LIU and a career-high 20 points as the Warriors conquered SFU, 70-66, on Saturday. Bennett leads the NEC and ranks fifth nationally with 2.7 spg. He is the league’s third-leading freshman scorer (8.2) and ranks tenth overall in assists (2.6).

Jordan Minor (MC, Sr, F)
Minor was a force on both ends of the court in Merrimack’s sweep last week, tallying 21.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.5 bpg and 2.0 spg. The NEC Player of the Week registered 25 points, 13 rebounds, a career-best seven assists, four blocks and two steals in an elite performance in Thursday’s 17-point win over LIU. Minor is the league leader with nine double-doubles and 2.6 bpg, and also ranks second in scoring (17.1) and rebounding (8.8), and third in field goal percentage (.531).

Ziggy Reid (MC, Sr, G/F)
Reid had a memorable week, scoring his 1,000th career-point in Saturday’s 70-66 victory over SFU that improved MC to 7-4 in NEC play and third place in the league standings. In the Warriors’ 2-0 week, he produced 20.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 spg and shot a blistering 70.0 percent from the field, 70.0 percent (7-10) from distance and 85.7 percent from the stripe. Reid netted 19 points in a 76-59 win over LIU on Thursday and then went for a game-high 22 points on 7-9 shooting - including a 4-5 mark from downtown - against the Red Flash. Reid is tenth in the NEC in scoring with 12.8 ppg.

Nico Galette (SHU, Jr, F)
Galette led all scorers with 22 points - which marked his NEC single-game season-high - to lead the Pios to a 78-65 win over intrastate rival CCSU on Saturday in Fairfield. He scored 13 points over the last 7:09 to seal the win and a two-game home sweep that improved SHU to 6-5 in conference play. For the week, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 bpg and 1.5 spg, while making 52.0 percent from the floor and 3-5 from three-point territory. Galette ranks fifth in the NEC with 15.8 ppg, and his 6.9 rpg places him seventh in the conference. He’s also fifth on the circuit with four double-doubles.

Bryce Johnson (SHU, Jr, F)
Johnson just missed out on averaging a double-double for SHU in its 2-0 week, recording 15.5 ppg on 70.0 percent shooting to go along with 9.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.0 spg. He amassed 17 points and seven boards - both team-highs - in Thursday’s 65-56 win over Wagner, then finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Pios defeated CCSU, 78-65, on Saturday. The junior is second in the conference with eight double-doubles, fourth with 8.1 rpg and averages 9.9 ppg.

Josh Cohen (SFU, R-Jr, F)
Cohen was solid once again, tossing in 17.0 ppg while averaging 6.0 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.0 bpg on SFU’s road swing through New England. He scored 17 against both Stonehill and Merrimack. At a league-leading 21.3 ppg, he also ranks 12th nationally. Cohen paces the circuit in field goal percentage (.597) and is sixth in rebounding (7.9).

Tedrick Wilcox Jr. (SFBK, Sr, G)
Wilcox Jr. led the Terriers with 16.0 ppg in last week’s split, while also pitching in 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.5 spg. He put up a game-high 15 points and added six boards in Thursday’s 53-48 home win vs. CCSU. Wilcox Jr. averages 11.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg and ranks tenth in the league with 1.7 triples per game.

Isaiah Burnett (STO, Sr, G)
Burnett did it all in helping guide Stonehill to a 2-0 week at home that boosted the Skyhawks to the top of the NEC with an 8-3 league mark. He contributed 14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and an eye-opening 5.0 spg, while sinking 61.1 percent from the field. Burnett sank his first nine shots from the field and finished 9-11 in a game-high 22-point effort against SFU on Thursday. He piled up a career-high and school record seven steals in the 74-61 win. Burnett is first in the NEC and second nationally in steals (2.8), and ranks fourth in the conference in free throw shooting (.803), eighth in assists (2.7) and 11th in scoring (12.7).

Andrew Sims (STO, Sr, F)
Sims averaged a team-best 16.5 ppg during Stonehill’s home sweep that vaulted the Skyhawks into first place. He supplemented his scoring with 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 1.5 bpg, and made 9-10 (.900) from the line. Sims is sixth in the NEC in scoring (15.2) and fifth in field goal shooting (.478).
     
TOP STORYLINES FROM #NECMBB WEEK 13

Here’s all you need to know from the 13th week of the 2022-23 season...
   
NEC RESET: STONEHILL SKIES TO TOP OF STANDINGS
 
Raise your hand if you had “Stonehill in first place in February” on your list of preseason prognostications.
 
But here we are.
 
The NEC newcomer’s steady rise to the top of the charts culminated on Saturday with a 65-59 win at St. Francis Brooklyn that extended the Skyhawks’ conference win streak to five games and league record to 8-3 on the year.
 
The win, coupled with FDU’s loss to Wagner, gave Stonehill sole possession of the top spot in the standings with three weeks to play. However, the Skyhawks and Knights are tied in the loss column.
 
Current NEC Standings
1. Stonehill (8-3)
2. FDU (7-3)
3. Merrimack (7-4)
4. Sacred Heart (6-5)
5. Saint Francis U (5-5)
    Wagner (5-5)
7. St. Francis Brooklyn (5-6)
8. CCSU (4-7)
9. LIU (1-10)
 
Stonehill’s run to the top sets up a huge game with red-hot Merrimack on Thursday as the former NE10 rivals go toe-to-toe in North Andover.
 
NEC preseason favorite Merrimack has now won four of its last five contests following a home sweep of LIU and Saint Francis U last week.
 
As a reminder, while Merrimack is eligible to compete in the NEC Tournament, the Warriors do not become NCAA eligible until next season. If Merrimack wins the NEC Tournament, the runner-up will represent the conference in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Stonehill will become NEC Tournament eligible in 2024-25 and NCAA eligible in the 2026-27 season.
 
Despite surrendering its perch atop the league table, FDU remains in good shape for the top seed in the NEC Tournament. The Knights are up a half game on Merrimack and swept the Warriors this season. FDU plays its final six games against teams currently situated fourth down to ninth in the NEC standings with a combined 26-38 (.406) conference record.
 
Sacred Heart also put itself in a position to contend for the top seed with a sweep of Wagner and CCSU at the Pitt Center last week. At 6-5, the Pioneers are just 1 1/2 games behind FDU. SHU won at FDU in January and the two teams rematch in Fairfield on February 16.

Wagner (5-5) snapped a two-game skid with an impressive 83-79 victory at FDU on Saturday to get back to .500. The Seahawks are tied with Saint Francis U, which has dropped four straight - all on the road - following a 5-1 start. If the season were to end today, the Red Flash would claim the #4 tourney seed. Looking ahead, SFU plays four of its final six games at home.
 
St. Francis Brooklyn had its three-game win streak snapped by Stonehill on Saturday, but sits just a half game behind Wagner and SFU at 5-6.
 
Now 4-7 after dropping a pair on the road last week, CCSU has some ground to make up, but remains only 1 1/2 games outside of the fourth seed at this point.
 
All eight eligible teams will compete in the 2023 NEC Tournament, which begins on March 1 with quarterfinal action at home sites.
 
MC’S REID REACHES 1K MARK
 
Merrimack swingman Ziggy Reid (Baltimore, MD/St. Paul’s School) joined an exclusive group on Saturday.

The senior joined classmate Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May) as current members of the NEC’s 1,000-point club and became the second Warrior to reach the millennium mark exclusively at the DI level.
Needing four points entering Saturday’s game against Saint Francis U, Reid cracked 1,000 on a three-pointer with 14:51 remaining in the first half and finished with a game-high 22 points.
 
He enters play this week with 1,018 points.
 
Historically, Reid became the 248th player in NEC history to score 1,000 career points.
 
Minor is the NEC’s active scoring leader with 1,186 points, and St. Francis Brooklyn senior guard Rob Higgins (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) has amassed 1,041 points. .
 
Saint Francis U redshirt junior forward Josh Cohen (Lincroft, NJ/CBA) (947 points) is likely next in line to join the league’s 1,000-point scorers.
 
MILESTONES ON MILESTONES
 
Along with Ziggy Reid’s (Baltimore, MD/St. Paul’s School) entry into the NEC’s 1,000-point club, there were three other players across the conference that achieved career scoring milestones over a two hour period on Saturday.
 
Most impressively, FDU graduate student Demetre Roberts (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon (St. Thomas Aquinas)) reached the 2,000-point mark against Wagner. Roberts scored 1,585 points as a four-time All-ECC guard at St. Thomas Aquinas and has compiled 418 points at FDU. He enters play this week with 2,003 points on his resume.
 
Stonehill graduate student forward Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, MA/The Tilton School (Franklin Pierce/Lynn)) passed the 1K plateau in the Skyhawks’ win over Saint Francis U. Zegarowski has amassed 1,010 points at three different schools with 325 at Stonehill, 677 at Franklin Pierce and eight at Lynn.
 
Sacred Heart graduate student guard Raheem Solomon (Hartford, CT/Sacred Heart HS (Niagara)) also eclipsed 1,000 for his career during the Pioneers’ 78-65 victory over CCSU. Solomon is at exactly 1,000 after adding 288 points at SHU to the 712 he scored over three seasons at Niagara.
 
LONG TIME COMING FOR MC’s MINOR
 
After missing six games during non-conference play, it’s been an uphill climb for Merrimack senior forward Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May) to appear among the NEC’s individual stat leaders.
 
On Thursday, Minor made it.
 
By playing in his 18th game, he reached the 75 percent minium threshold for inclusion, and you don’t have to look hard to find him.
 
The Kingston, MA native currently ranks in the NEC top-10 in five categories.
 
Scoring - 17.1 - 2nd in NEC
Rebounding - 8.8 - 2nd
Blocks - 2.6 - 1st
Field Goal Percentage - .531 - 3rd
Double-Doubles - 9 - 1st
 
MINOR STRIKES A MAJOR CHORD
 
We often use the term #NECElite, but this falls more under #NCAAElite.
 
In Merrimack’s 76-59 win over LIU on Thursday, Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May) had himself a game and then some.

The senior forward racked up 25 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and two steals in a true stat stuffer.
 
In fact, Minor performance was in a league of its own.
 
He became the first player nationally since at least 2010 to compile at least 25 points, 13 boards, seven dimes and four rejections in a game.
 
Minor posted a season-high 123 KenPom offensive rating for the game.
 
BURNETT STEALING THE SHOW
 
When you talk about the NEC’s two-way threats, the conversation needs to start with Stonehill fifth-year guard Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, MD/Glenelg Country Day (Navy)).
 
Last Thursday, Burnett delivered perhaps his signature effort of the Skyhawks’ inaugural NEC campaign, when he compiled a game-high 22 points on 9-11 shooting to go along with five boards, two assists and a career-high seven steals in a 74-61 triumph over SFU.
 
Of note, Burnett hit his first nine shots of the contest and his school record seven steals led directly to eight Stonehill points.

The seven swipes were the most in an NEC game since Wagner’s Elijah Ford had seven against Merrimack on March 3, 2021.
 
Additionally, Burnett became just the third player across the country this season to register at least 22 points, five rebounds and seven steals in a game, joining UC Davis guard Ty Johnson (32 points, six rebounds & eight steals vs. Milwaukee on November 26) and Troy’s Nelson Phillips (22 points, eight rebounds and 13 steals vs. Southern New Orleans on November 23). Burnett and Johnson are the only two do so vs. DI competition.
 
Burnett ranks first in the NEC and second in the nation with 2.8 spg. His 74 steals leads all of DI.
 
SHU’S GALETTE & WC’s BROWN: #NECBIGSHOTS OF THE WEEK
 
Reminiscent of the way he daggered Columbia back in November, Sacred Heart junior forward Nico Galette (Rahway, NJ/Rutgers Prep) put the Pios on his back to close out Thursday’s win over Wagner.
 
With SHU nursing a 56-52 lead and the shot clock winding down, Galette pulled out an 18-foot fade with a hand in his face to make it a six-point game with 2:16 to play.
 
After the Seahawks cut it back to four on the next possession, Galette drilled a stepback three with the shot clock about to expire that iced matters in Fairfield as the Pioneers went on to win, 65-56, to climb back to .500 on the year.

Two days later it was Wagner senior guard Brandon Brown (Memphis, TN/White Station (Arkansas Pine Bluff)) who came through in a big spot.
 
Trailing 79-78 at FDU, Brown drove the lane, spun and made a high degree of difficulty shot off glass while absorbing contact for the go-ahead bucket and conventional three-point play with 39 seconds to play. The Seahawks would go on to post a 83-79 win in Hackensack to even its NEC record at 5-5.
 
PLAY OF THE WEEK
 
Locked in a low-scoring affair with CCSU at the ARC, St. Francis Brooklyn needed to make one more play to put the game out of reach and extend its win streak to three.
 
Enter redshirt freshman guard Zion Bethea (South Orange, NJ/Immaculate Conception (Hofstra)).
 
With eight seconds on the clock and the Terriers inbounding the ball under the CCSU hoop, Bethea alertly made a back cut into the lane and Roy Clarke (Brooklyn, NY/John C. Fremont) spotted him for a layup that clinched the 53-48 dub.
 
Bethea finished with 14 points off the bench, his fifth consecutive game in double digits.
 
SINGLETON THE SHOOTER
 
The 50-40-90 Club is about as rare as it gets in both the NBA and collegiate basketball.
 
It requires a player to shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the line, while meeting the minimum thresholds to qualify as a league leader in each category.
 
Only 13 NBA players in league history have met the criteria with Steve Nash (three times) and Larry Bird (twice) the only two to have multiple 50/40/90 seasons.
 
In college hoops, just 13 players across the nation finished at 50/40/90 and reached minimum thresholds (at lest 3.0 FG made/game, 2.0 FT made/game, 1.0 3P made/game and at least half of team games played) over the last 30 years.
 
While FDU graduate student guard Grant Singleton (Sumter, SC/Lakewood (St. Thomas Aquinas)) will likely fall short of meeting the standard when looking at his overall numbers, his NEC campaign is very much in play.
 
Singleton’s conference slash line is incredibly efficient, having hit 50.0 percent from the field, 47.0 percent from the line and a perfect 100.0 percent from the stripe over his first 10 games.
 
He has posted a 64.6 effective field goal percentage and 68.3 true shooting percentage against league rivals.
 
Overall for the season, Singleton has recorded a .465/.406/.938 slash for the Knights.
 
NEC TERRIFIC TRIOS
 
Each year around this time, it’s become customary on these pages to pay tribute to the top scoring duos across the conference.
 
However, this is the year of the triple threat, with multiple teams sporting a trio of players who rank among NEC scoring leaders.
 
FDU, Saint Francis U and Stonehill all have three players who combine for at least 40.0 ppg, led by the Red Flash trio of Josh Cohen (Lincroft, NJ/CBA), Landon Moore (Bloomington, IL/Western Reserve Academy) and Maxwell Land (Cincinnati, OH/Archbishop Moeller) at 46.5 ppg.
 
Top-Scoring NEC Trios
 
School  Player              PPG    Player             PPG    Total              PPG     Combined
SFU     Josh Cohen          21.3   Landon Moore       13.5   Maxwell Land       11.7    46.5
FDU     Demetre Roberts     16.7   Grant Singleton    15.1   Ansley Almonor     14.1    45.9
STO     Andrew Sims         15.2   Isaiah Burnett     12.7   Max Zegarowski     12.5    40.4
 
DID YOU KNOW?
 
In a year with so much parity, the lack of blowouts in NEC play this year is understandable, but the shortage of close games is somewhat befuddling.
 
The NEC ranks 30th out of 32 DI conference in blowout percentage with just 3-of-48 games (6.2 percent) decided by 20 or more points.
 
On the other hand, the NEC also ranks 30th in close game percentage with only 6-of-48 games (12.5 percent) decided by four points or less or in OT.
 
There has yet to be an OT game in league play this season. Last year there were nine OT games.
 
THE WEEK AHEAD ON NEC-TV
 
ESPNU is coming to Loretto in the first of two NEC-TV matchups on the week.
 
Saint Francis U will host Sacred Heart on Thursday in a 5:00 pm tipoff on the Worldwide Leader. Dave Leno (PxP) and Terrence Oglesby (color) are set for the call.
 
Two days later, FDU hosts CCSU on ESPN+. The late afternoon Saturday tilt tips at 5:00 pm with Paul Dottino (PxP) and Joe DeSantis (color) on commentary.
 
The 13-game men’s TV package includes four linear telecasts on CBSSN and one on ESPNU. Five regular season games will be broadcast on ESPN3/ESPN+.
 
The NEC semifinals are set to be carried on SNY and ESPN3 on March 4, and the final on ESPN or ESPN2 on March 7.
 
BIG MAN TAKEOVER
 
Typically a guard-driven league, the NEC has flipped the switch this season.
 
Currently, eight of the league’s top-10 point producers and ten of the top-12 scorers measure 6’5” or taller.
 
FDU’s starting backcourt of Demetre Roberts (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon (St. Thomas Aquinas)) and Grant Singleton (Sumter, SC/Lakewood (St. Thomas Aquinas)) - both sub 6-footers - are the lone small guards to crack the top-10
 
Likewise, five of the league’s top-10 leaders in made three-pointers measure 6’6” or taller this season.
 
CATCH & SHOOT: MALETIC & RUGGERY SIZZLE
 
When it comes to unguarded catch-and-shoot situations, you better get out and cover LIU’s Marko Maletic (London, Ontario/Saunders Secondary School (Laramie County CC)) and Saint Francis U’s Luke Ruggery (Duncansville, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle).
 
Maletic, the sweet shooting sophomore guard is currently burying 57.9 percent of those open catch-and-shoot opportunities, which translates to 1.692 PPP and an 86.8 effective field goal percentage.
 
Ruggery ranks second in the league in field goal accuracy in unguarded catch-and-shoot shots, having converted 54.2 percent. In those situations, he has generated 1.680 PPP and an 81.3 effective field goal percentage.
 
FDU sophomore forward Ansley Almonor (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)) is the NEC leader with 24 makes of this variety.
 
NEC ANALYTICS ZONE WITH RYAN PETERS
 
Each week throughout the 2022-23 season, NEC Overtime! blogger and NEC on the Run podcast collaborator Ryan Peters (@pioneer_pride) will contribute a series of analytically based tidbits covering NEC hoops.
 
When Sacred Heart needed his production the most, forward Bryce Johnson (Stockton, CA/St. Mary’s (Pomfret)) stepped up his game in the second half of its Wagner victory last Thursday. The junior poured in 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting near the rim and has been the case all season, Johnson’s scoring variety was on full display last Thursday. Johnson, a power forward, got four buckets on drives to the basket, two makes coming out of transition, one from an offensive putback and two from cuts in the half-court set. Per Synergy, Johnson grades well this season when finishing after offensive putbacks (57.9 percent eFG), in transition (62.2 percent eFG) and from posting up (75.0 percent eFG).

No one is drawing fouls at a better rate than Merrimack’s Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May), who leads the conference in fouls drawn per 40 minutes with a mark of 6.9. It’s the highest number since the 2016-17 season when Robert Morris’ Kavon Stewart finished with 7.2 fouls drawn per 40 minutes. In league play, Minor also owns the league’s best free throw rate with a mark of 69.9 percent FTA/FGA.

Attempting as many shot attempts as possible is a way to improve your offensive efficiency, and FDU is certainly making the most of their opportunities down low. The Knights hold the NEC’s best mark by scoring 1.26 points per possession (ppp) on near the rim attempts, per Synergy. Their high conversion rate of 59.7 percent eFG is a big reason why the Knights are far and away posting the best KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency in league play at 113.8. The next closest team is Saint Francis U more than nine points back at 104.5.

CCSU has one of the slowest tempos in the country, currently sitting at 64.1 possessions per game (323rd in D1), yet the Blue Devils have been efficient when getting out on the fast break. Per Synergy, Pat Sellers group grades out as “very good” in transition opportunities, scoring 1.11 ppp while doing a splendid job taking care of the ball with a 12.4 percent turnover rate. Of the Blue Devils players, Kellen Amos (Houston, TX/St. John XXIII College Prep (Binghamton)) (63.0 percent eFG) and Andre Snoddy (Melville, NY/St. Thomas More) (72.0 percent eFG) grade out very well in these situations.
 
NUMBER CRUNCHING
 
CCSU sophomore forward Andre Snoddy (Melville, NY/St. Thomas More) scored a career-high 20 points against Sacred Heart on Saturday. He shot 8-11 from the field - going 8-8 from inside the arc - and added six rebounds and a blocked shot in 39 minutes.
 
FDU made 15-31 from three-point range in its 83-79 setback to Wagner on Saturday. The 15 triples were the most in an NEC game this season.
FDU has shot 52.9 percent from the field (55-104) and 47.2 percent (25-53) from beyond the arc over its last two outings.
 
LIU roster newcomer Ahmed Essahaty (Wellington, New Zealand/Onslow College), a 6-3 freshman guard, finished with eight points on 4-6 shooting and four steals in his second career start last Thursday at Merrimack.
 
Merrimack has been heating up from three-point territory. The Warriors have made at least 38 percent from downtown in each of their last five games, going 37-94 during that stretch for a 39.4 percent conversion rate.
 
Sacred Heart sophomore forward Tanner Thomas (Springfield, MA/Williston Northampton) hit all eight of his shots from the floor last week, including a 2-2 mark from deep. He went 6-6 and finished with 15 points off the bench in Saturday’s win over CCSU.

Sacred Heart junior guard Mike Sixsmith (Hicksville, NY/Holy Trinity) compiled nine assists and did not commit a turnover over 59 minutes of play last week.
 
Saint Francis U redshirt junior guard Brad McCabe (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) caught fire from outside the arc last week, hitting a scorching 8-9 (.889) on his way to averaging 13.5 ppg on the week. He added 6.5 rpg. McCabe scored 12 points in 16 minutes and made all four of his three-point attempts at Stonehill on Thursday. He is shooting 40.0 percent from deep on the season.
 
St. Francis Brooklyn redshirt freshman guard Zion Bethea (South Orange, NJ/Immaculate Conception (Hofstra)) contributed 14.5 ppg and hit 6-13 (.462) from three-point range last week. He has reached double digits in six straight games, averaging 14.2 ppg over that stretch to up his season mark to 9.8 ppg. Bethea is also 11-24 (.458) from distance over the six game span.

St. Francis Brooklyn junior forward Josiah Harris (Wilmington, DE/William Penn (Hutchinson CC/Cowley College)) averaged a double-double with 10.0 ppg and 12.5 rpg last week. He finished with 12 points and 15 boards to help boost the Terriers to Thursday’s 53-48 win against CCSU.
 
Stonehill graduate student forward Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, MA/The Tilton School (Franklin Pierce/Lynn)) averaged 15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 1.5 apg last week. He tallied with 17 points on 5-10 shooting and went 6-6 from the line in Saturday’s win over SFBK.
 
With 1,095 career points, Stonehill senior forward Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional) enters the week 24 points shy of cracking the top-30 on the program’s all-time scoring list.
 
Stonehill shot 27-30 (.900) from the stripe in its sweep. The Skyhawks rank first in the NEC with a 75.6 percent mark at the line.
 
Wagner senior guard Brandon Brown (Memphis, TN/White Station (Arkansas Pine Bluff)), who leads the NEC with 9.0 rpg, averaged 8.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg last week. His traditional three-point play in the final minute helped seal the Seahawks’ victory at FDU on Saturday.
 
Wagner junior guard Delonnie Hunt (Upper Marlboro, MD/Rock Creek Christian) scored 17 of his 19 in the second half of Thursday’s setback at Sacred Heart. He put up 13.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 3.5 apg on the week.
 
Wagner shot a season-best 50.0 percent from long range in its 83-79 win at FDU on Saturday, making 9-of-18 shots.
  
NEC IN NATIONAL LEADERS (TOP-25)
 
Team    Category        Rank    Value
FDU     TO Margin       11th    4.64
FDU     TO Forced       25th    16.32
MC      Steals          3rd     10.64
MC      TO Forced       11th    17.40
WC      Off. Reb.       24th    12.67
 
Individual            Category    Rank    Value
Javon Bennett, MC     Steals      5th     2.72
Jordan Minor, MC      Blocks      8th     2.63
Isaiah Burnett, STO   Steals      2nd     2.85
Josh Cohen, SFU       Scoring     12th    21.3
Josh Cohen, SFU       FG%         25th    .597
Marko Maletic, LIU    3P          16th    3.16