PDF Release

NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Player of the Week: Jordan Jones, CCSU
NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Rookie of the Week: Shadrak Lasu, LIU
Previous NEC Releases: January 28 | January 22 | January 14 | January 7 | December 30 | December 23 | December 16 | December 9 | December 2 | November 25 | November 18 | November 11 | Preseason Poll Release
 
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jordan Jones, CCSU
Sr., G, 6-0, 180 lbs.
Florence, SC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)
Two of CCSU’s league-best six NEC Player of the Week awards this season have come courtesy of Jones, who was at his best during a road sweep that vaulted the Blue Devils into first place. His stat line of 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game was paired with a sizzling 66.7 percent shooting mark from the field and 50.0 percent from three-point range. Jones was coolly efficient in CCSU’s 63-50 win over LIU in a battle for first place on Thursday, finishing with 17 points on 6-7 shooting, including 2-3 from three-point range, while adding five rebounds and three steals. Heading north to Stonehill on Saturday, the Florence, SC product scored nine of his team-high 20 points in the final 4:07 to clinch a 71-63 victory. He came up with three more steals and collected six boards. The win kept CCSU perfect at 6-0 on the road in league play and pushed the Blue Devils to a national-best 10 road wins. Jones ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring (13.3), sixth in assists (3.2) and steals (1.6), and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8).

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Shadrak Lasu, LIU
Fr., F, 6-8, 200 lbs.
Winnipeg, Canada/Northstar Prep
Lasu added a second NEC Rookie of the Week honor to his résumé after contributing in a number of ways for the Sharks. Lasu scored 5.0 points per game, and his presence was felt in the paint with 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per outing. The Winnipeg native scored six points and grabbed a game-high nine boards against CCSU on Thursday. Two days later, he blocked a career-high five shots and added eight boards, while hitting 2-4 from the field at Chicago State. Lasu paces the NEC with 7.1 rpg and is the ninth-leading freshman rebounder in the nation. If Lasu finishes as the NEC’s rebounding leader, he’d become just the second freshman ever to do so. He also ranks second on the conference circuit with 1.1 bpg.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
 
Jordan Jones (CCSU, Sr, G)
Last week: 18.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 spg, 66.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%

- Hit 14-21 from the field to lead league leader CCSU to another road sweep.
- Dropped 17 on 6-7 shooting to knock LIU out first, then shot 8-14 in a 71-63 win at Stonehill.
- Ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring (13.3), sixth in assists (3.2) and steals (1.6), and third in A/TO ratio (1.8).

Abdul Momoh (CCSU, Sr, F)
Last week: 12.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.0 spg, 64.7 FG%

- Shot an efficient 7-8 from the field in a 14-point effort at Stonehill.
- Leads the NEC in blocks (1.4), and ranks second in FG% (.630).

Jalen Forrest (CSU, Jr, G)
Last week: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5-10 FG vs. LIU

- Scored 14 of his 19 points in a sensational overtime outburst to carry the Cougars to a 73-67 win over LIU.
-  Averaging 18.4 points on 55.2 percent shooting over his last five games to raise his scoring average to a team-high 10.9 ppg.

Terrence Brown (FDU, So, G)
Last week: 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.0 spg, 54.2 FG%
- Finished with 16 points and a career-high tying eight assists in FDU’s 78-74 win over Le Moyne on Thursday.
- Paces the NEC and ranks seventh in the nation in scoring at 20.9 ppg.
- Leads the conference with 2.0 spg.

AJ Dancler (LEM, So, G)
Last week: 18.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 46.2 3P%

- Rang up a career-high 24 points on 9-18 shooting from the floor and 3-7 from outside the arc at Wagner on Saturday.
- Has hit double-digits in seven straight outings, averaging 17.9 ppg over that span to boost his season average to 11.8 ppg.
- Averaging 16.5 ppg (third in NEC) and 4.8 apg (second) in conference play.

Dwayne Koroma (LEM, R-Jr, F)
Last week: 17.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.5 spg, 71.4 3P%

- It was another efficient week for the nation’s top-ranked field goal percentage shooter. Koroma converted 10-12 shots and snared a career-high tying 15 boards at FDU on Thursday.
- It marked Koroma’s second 15-rebound game of the season, which is tied for the most by an NEC player this season.
- Shooting a scintillating 72.1 percent from the floor on the year, while contributing 11.9 ppg.

Malachi Davis (LIU, R-Jr, G)
Last week: 20.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 spg, 55.6 FG%, 62.5 3P%

- Exploded for a career and NEC single-game season-high 32 points at Chicago State on Saturday.
- Hit his first 10 shots from the floor and first four shots from beyond the arc before finishing 11-16 overall and 4-5 from downtown.
- Ranks second on the circuit in scoring at 17.0 ppg.

Jeff Planutis (MU, Gr, F)
Last week: 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 57.1 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 83.3 FT%

- Led the Lakers with 17 points on 6-10 shooting as Mercyhurst earned a 67-60 win at FDU to complete a weekend sweep.
- Has posted .548/.455/.850 shooting splits over last four games.
- Leads Mercyhurst and sits third in the NEC in scoring at 14.8 ppg. He also ranks third in the league in FT% (.886).

Aidan Reichert (MU, Sr, F)
Last week: 15.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 55.6 FG%

- Scored the go-ahead bucket on a layup with 31 seconds to go in a 62-58 win over SFU on Thursday.
- Ranks fourth in the NEC at 13.4 ppg, and has averaged a team-high 15.8 ppg against NEC rivals.

Todd Brogna (STO, So, F)
Last week: 21.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 62.5 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 100.0 FT%

- In a terrific performance, the sophomore rang up a career-best 28 points to fuel a 73-61 win over Wagner on Thursday. Brogna shot 9-12 from the field and added six boards and three assists.
- Ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring (12.8), fourth in rebounding (6.4) and field goal percentage (.525), second in free throw accuracy (.918) and fifth in three-point shooting (.423).

Louie Semona (STO, So, F)
Last week: 17.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 45.8 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 100.0 FT%

- Tied for game scoring honors with 20 points against CCSU on Sunday. He shot 5-10 from long range in an eight-point setback.
- Averaging 15.2 ppg in conference games, which ranks seventh in the NEC.
- Has reached double-digits in scoring in 12 straight games.

Zaire Williams (WC, Sr, G)
Last week: 14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.0 apg, 47.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%

- Finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists in Wagner’s 12-point win over Le Moyne on Sunday.
- Extended double-digit scoring streak to 11 games.
- Ranks sixth in the NEC In scoring (12.9) and third in steals (1.9).
 
#NECMBB BY THE NUMBERS
 
1 - The NEC leads the nation in fewest blowouts during conference play, with just 1 of 40 league games this season decided by 20 or more points.

1st - With it’s 71-63 victory at Stonehill on Saturday, CCSU became the 1st team in the nation this season to win a road game by at least 8 points without hitting a single three-pointer. In fact, it’s only happened 32 times the last 20 years.

10 - CCSU is the first team to compile 10 road wins in a season since Wagner won 10 in 2015-16. The NEC single-season record for road wins is held by RMU, which finished 14-3 in 2007-08 in 2007-08 and 14-8 in 2011-12.

79.1/81.5 - Mercyhurst is now shooting 79.1 percent from the free line on the season and an even better 81.5 percent in NEC play. The conference single-season record for free throw accuracy is 78.2 percent, set by CCSU during its 2018-19 campaign.

#NECMBB FAST BREAK

CCSU
CCSU boasts a +10.2 scoring margin against NEC opponents this season. The last team to finish a season with a +10.0 ppg margin or better in league play was Wagner in 2011-12 (+11.3).

Chicago St.
The Cougars’ 73-67 triumph over LIU on Saturday marked their first overtime victory since an 83-76 win against Western Illinois on Dec. 3, 2016.

FDU
Sophomore guard Jameel Morris scored a career-high 20 points in Thursday’s win over Le Moyne, knocking down 4-5 from beyond the arc while also tallying a career-best six steals.

Le Moyne
Teammates Dwayne Koroma and Ocypher Owens are tied for the NEC lead with four double-doubles apiece.

LIU
LIU has gone to overtime in three of its last five games and has played four OT contests this season, tied for the fourth-most in the nation.

Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst has won all six of its NEC games by seven points or less. That ties for the fourth-most seven-point or less wins in the nation this season.

Saint Francis U
Sophomore guard Daemar Kelly scored a career-high 14 points at Mercyhurst on Thursday. He hit 5-8 from the floor and 3-6 from behind the arc.

Stonehill
Sophomore forwards Todd Brogna and Louie Semona accounted for 55.8 percent of Stonehill’s scoring last week and have teamed up to average 29.5 points per game in NEC action.

Wagner
Wagner shot 56.8 percent from the field, 58.8 percent from downtown and 84.0 percent from the line in Saturday’s win over Le Moyne. It marked just the second time in the last 20 years that the Seahawks sported a minimum 56/58/84 shooting slash.
   
TOP STORYLINES FROM #NECMBB

Here’s all you need to know from the 13th week of the 2024-25 season...
 
>> NEW NEC KING OF THE HILL
 
The hype leading into Thursday night’s CCSU-LIU game was undeniable, and while it didn’t produce late-game drama, it did deliver a statement performance.
 
With first place on the line, CCSU left little doubt on this night, taking command in the second half and never looking back in a 63-50 win at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn.
 
The win catapulted the Blue Devils ahead of the Sharks, unseating LIU from first place for the first time this season.
 
CCSU’s victory was also its fifth straight on the road in NEC play without a loss and sixth straight road win overall.
 
From a tiebreaking sense, it also landed the Blue Devils an all important split in the season series with the Sharks.
 
LIU jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but from there, it was all CCSU in the first half. The Blue Devils locked in defensively, holding the Sharks to 29.2 percent shooting while overcoming their own struggles from deep (0-10 from three) to take a 27-18 lead into halftime.
 
After extending the lead to 16, CCSU put the game out of reach with an 8-0 run, punctuated by a Darin Smith Jr. (Springfield, VA/Vermont Academy) dunk, to take a insurmountable 51-27 lead with 8:15 to play.

CCSU finished with four players in double figures, led by  senior guard Jordan Jones (Florence, SC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)), who racked up 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
 
Sophomore forward Max Frazier (Pittsboro, NC/Northwood (Siena)) finished with five of the Blue Devils’ eight blocks on the day.
 
By week’s end, CCSU has built a 1 1/2 game lead in the standings after posting a 71-63 win at Stonehill on Saturday. The Blue Devils play their next three at home and five of their final seven games in the friendly confines of Detrick Gymnasium.
 
>> LAKERS LEANING ON EXPERIENCE
 
It should come as no surprise to those following the conference that Mercyhurst is making a strong push in its first year as an NEC and reclassifying DI member.
 
Following in the footsteps of recent NEC newcomers, the Lakers have climbed into a third place tie in the standings on the heels of a four-game win streak.
 
A key factor in Mercyhurst’s success has been the team’s ability to close out tight games.
 
All six of the Lakers’ conference wins have come by seven points or fewer, and that’s where Gary Manchel’s experienced roster has made a difference.
 
The terrific trio of Jeff Planutis (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton), Aidan Reichert (Jackson Center, OH/Jackson Center) and Bernie Blunt III (Morgantown, PA/Peddie School (Edinboro/Quinnipiac)) have a combined 13 seasons and 320 games of experience at the DI and D2 levels, and it shows.

Check out their clutch performances during the four-game streak.
 
In a 71-66 win at Wagner on January 24, Blunt’s triple with 51 seconds remaining gave the Lakers a six-point lead. Planutis and Reichert then combined to hit 6-6 from the charity stripe in the final 33 seconds to clinch matters.
 
Two days, later the Lakers pulled off an 85-80 double overtime win over then unbeaten LIU. Planutis drilled the go-ahead jumper with 1:05 left in the second extra session, then knocked down a contested shot with eight seconds remaining to push the lead to three. Blunt sealed it at the line, sinking both free throws with one second left.
 
This past week, Reichert’s driving layup with 31 seconds left snapped a 56-all tie against SFU on Thursday. Blunt iced the game, sinking four straight free throws in the final eight seconds to wrap the 62-58 win.
 
Mercyhurst’s fourth straight win came at FDU on Saturday with Blunt and Planutis each draining a pair of free throws in the final eight seconds to fend off a late Knights’ rally and lock in the 67-60 dub.
 
Fast Facts...
 
- Mercyhurst has now hit 41-48 (85.4 percent) shots from the line over the final two minutes of regulation and overtime in its six NEC wins.
 
- The trio of Planutis, Reichert and Blunt have combined for nearly 58 percent of Mercyhurst’s points this season, with all three sitting among the top 11 scorers in the NEC.
 
>> MOVIN’ ON UP HISTORY
 
These are the first-year records of the NEC’s reclassifying schools in recent years:
 
2024-25
Mercyhurst     6-4       Currently tied 3rd place
 
2023-24
Le Moyne       9-7       Tied 4th place
 
2022-23
Stonehill      10-6      Tied 2nd place
 
2019-20
Merrimack      14-4      1st place
 
>> NEC BIG SHOT
 
This week’s NEC Big Shot accolade goes to Chicago State’s Jalen Forrest (Decatur, GA/Greenforest-McCalep Christian (GA) (Presbyterian)).
 
In a dazzling five-minute display, the junior guard carried the Cougars across the finish line in a thrilling 73-67 overtime win over LIU at the Jones Convocation Center on Saturday.
 
After Chicago State erased a nine-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation, Forrest, who was quiet for the first 40 minutes with just five points, absolutely erupted in the extra session.
 
The Decatur, GA native poured in 14 of CSU’s 15 points in overtime, capping off his performance with the biggest shot of the game, an NBA-range dagger three with 30 seconds left that pushed the Cougars’ lead to 68-64.

Forrest put the finishing touches on the victory, forcing a turnover and then taking it coast-to-coast to make it a six-point game with 21 seconds remaining.
 
The 14 overtime points were three shy of the NCAA record of 17 set by Howard’s Ron Williams in 2003, then matched by Temple’s David Hawkins in 2004.
 
Forrest finished with 19 points on 5-10 shooting.
 
>> BROGNA & 50/40/90
 
Two weeks back, we spotlighted Juan Cranford Jr. (Dayton, OH/Wayne) of Saint Francis U and his exceptional shooting efficiency.
 
This time, it’s Todd Brogna’s (Southborough, MA/Worcester Academy) turn.
 
Like Cranford, the Stonehill sophomore forward has eyes on the exclusive 50-40-90 Club.
 
Club admittance requires a player to shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the line, while meeting minimum thresholds to qualify as a league leader in each category.
 
The closest an NEC player has come to meeting all three benchmarks came back in 1990-91 when NEC Player of the Year Mike Iuzzolino shot 54.2 percent from the floor, a scorching 52.8 percent from downtown and 88.5 percent from the stripe for Saint Francis U.
 
While Cranford has dipped just below 50/40/90 range with .484/.400/.906 splits, Brogna is currently meeting the threshold.
 
Brogna is shooting 52.5 percent from the floor, 42.3 percent from three-point land and 91.8 percent from the line. He ranks fourth in the NEC in shooting, fifth in three-point accuracy and second in free throw percentage.
 
On a national basis, Brogna is one of three players nationwide that have met each of the shooting minimums (based on at least 3 FG/game, 1 3P/game and 2 FT/game).
 
Todd Brogna (Stonehill) - 52.5 FG%, 42.3 3P% and 91.8 FT%
Owen Koonce (Cal Poly) - 53.4 FG%, 42.0 3P% and 90.1 FT%
 
In NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League history, only 11 players have recorded a 50–40–90 season, with nine in the NBA and one each in the WNBA and the NBA G League. The most recent player to achieve a 50–40–90 season was Kevin Durant in 2022–23. Steve Nash (three times), Durant (twice) and Larry Bird (twice) are the only players to post multiple 50/40/90 seasons.
 
Since 1980, just 17 DI collegians 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). Salim Stoudamire (Arizona), Matt Kennedy (Charleston Southern), Matt Hildebrand (Liberty) and Jack Ferguson (Colgate) all recorded 50–50–90 seasons.
 
>> NEC-TV IS BACK
 
It’s taken a minute, but this Thursday the NEC will launch its TV package in style.
 
It all starts in New Britain with a showdown between NEC contenders as first place CCSU hosts second place FDU in an 8:00 PM tipoff. The game will receive widespread coverage, airing nationally on ESPN+ and across the conference footprint on YES Network, SNP and NESN+.

Longtime NEC announcers Dave Popkin (PxP) and Tim Capstraw (analyst) are in the booth.

Two days later the scene shifts to the Windy City for the first-ever NEC televised affair out of the Jones Convocation Center when Chicago State takes on Saint Francis U. Tipoff is at 1:00 pm CST/2:00 pm EST with the game set to stream exclusively on ESPN+. Sam Brief (PxP) and Max Thoma (analyst) have the call.
 
>> CCSU & FDU THRIVING IN HOSTILE TERRITORY
 
There’s nothing sweeter than winning on the road.
 
CCSU and FDU certainly agree.
 
Four weeks into league play, both CCSU (6-0) and FDU (4-0) have kept their road records spotless.
 
This marks the first time in 17 years that two teams have opened NEC play with such strong road showings. Back in 2007-08, RMU finished a perfect 9-0 on the road, while SHU started 7-0 before finishing the season at 8-1.
 
CCSU has won five of its six road games by double digits with an average victory margin of 13.7 points per game.
 
Jan. 3 - CCSU 74, Saint Francis U 59
Jan. 5 - CCSU 62, Mercyhurst 50
Jan. 18 - CCSU 71, FDU 60
Jan. 24 - CCSU 93, Le Moyne 70
Jan. 30 - CCSU 63, LIU 50
Feb. 1 - CCSU 71, Stonehill 63

Dating back to a win at Fairfield on December 18, the Blue Devils have won seven straight away from home.
 
FDU heads back on the road this week for a game at CCSU on Thursday.
 
The Knights last jumped out to a 5-0 road start in 2022-23, setting the stage for their magical NCAA Tournament run.
 
The Knights have also been impressive in their victories, winning three of their four NEC road games by double digits while posting a 9.5-point scoring margin.
 
Jan. 5 - FDU 71, Wagner 59
Jan. 10 - FDU 91, Le Moyne 86 (2OT)
Jan. 20 - FDU 58, Chicago State 48
Jan. 26 - FDU 65, Stonehill 54
 
Since the 1997-98 season, 21 teams have opened league play with a 4-0 road record and nine with a 6-0 mark. Notably, CCSU (2001-02) and Robert Morris (2007-08) went on to finish their seasons undefeated in road games.
 
Teams With 4-0 Road Starts In NEC Play Since 1997-98
CCSU                  6-0        2024-25
FDU                   4-0        2024-25
CCSU                  4-0        2023-24
FDU                   5-0        2022-23
Wagner                6-0        2021-22
Merrimack             5-0        2019-20
Robert Morris         4-0        2017-18
Robert Morris         7-0        2013-14
LIU                   4-0        2011-12 (NEC champion)
Robert Morris         6-0        2008-09 (NEC champion)
Robert Morris         9-0        2007-08 (perfect road record)
Sacred Heart          7-0        2007-08
Mount St. Mary’s      4-0        2005-06
Monmouth              4-0        2004-05
Monmouth              5-0        2002-03
Wagner                5-0        2002-03 (NEC champion)
CCSU                  10-0       2001-02 (perfect road record, NEC champion)
SFBK                  6-0        2000-01
CCSU                  4-0        1999-00 (NEC champion)
Quinnipiac            4-0        1999-00
UMBC                  8-0        1998-99
 
>> CCSU’S ROAD TO SUCCESS
 
CCSU is now all alone atop the road win national rankings this season.
 
The Blue Devils’ ten victories away from home is one more than UC Irvine and three more than any other team.
 
Most Road Wins In The Nation
CCSU                          10-3
UC Irvine                     9-3
14 teams with 7 wins
 
>> BLUE DEVILS ON THE BLOCK
 
When it comes to scoring around or at the rim, CCSU has been the standard bearer in the conference thus far in 2024-25.
 
The Blue Devils lead the conference in a host of categories:
 
At Rim FG               15.2/game
At Rim FG%              .649
At Rim PPP              1.342
Around Basket FG%       .619
Around Basket PPP       1.286
Post Up FG%             .520
Post Up PPP             1.053
Dunks                   2.5/game
 
>> BLAKE’S BOMBS
 
Wagner graduate student guard Zae Blake (Washington, D.C./Hargrave Military Academy (Green Bay)) has found his shooting groove during conference play.
 
Blake is hitting a blistering 57.1 percent of his three-point attempts (16-28) against NEC competition, including a 6-8 performance last week in Wagner’s split.
 
The Green Bay transfer was perfect from beyond the arc in Saturday’s 73-61 win over Le Moyne, going 4-4, with three of those coming in the final 10 minutes.
 
Blake leads the NEC in three-point shooting, sporting the highest percentage both overall (.463) and in league games (.571).

>> SFU TO HOST KEVIN PORTER NIGHT
 
In a nod to its deep basketball roots, Saint Francis U will host Kevin Porter Night on Thursday against Le Moyne.
 
Porter played for the Red Flash from 1968-72, which marked the end of the Golden Era of Red Flash basketball. He finished his career with 1,766 points and became the 16th player in program history to reach the century mark. He left Saint Francis second to only Maurice Stokes and currently sits fifth on the all-time chart. Porter averaged 23.0 or more points in his final three seasons, including a career-high 24.7 scoring average as a senior in 1971-72. Only Stokes and Sandy Williams have recorded higher single-season scoring averages.
 
Upon graduation from SFU, Porter enjoyed an 11-year career in the NBA. He led the NBA in assists four times and became the first player in the league’s history to dish out 1,000 assists in a season, passing out 1,099 as a member of the Detroit Pistons in 1978-79. Porter finished his professional career with 5,314 assists and 7,654 points in 659 games.
 
Porter’s 11-year career in the NBA is the longest tenure by a former SFU player. Norm Van Lier, a three-time NBA All-Star, played 10 seasons. Stokes, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, played three seasons before his career was tragically cut short, and 1990-91 NEC Player of the Year Mike Iuzzolino played two seasons in the NBA.
 
Porter returned to SFU to serve as the men’s basketball head coach from 1983-87 to become the second of three former Red Flash basketball players to serve as head coach (Dave Magarity and Rob Krimmel are the only two to accomplish this feat).
 
“Kevin is the greatest living Saint Francis basketball player,” said head coach Rob Krimmel. “To welcome back many of his teammates is going to be a special night for us. Any opportunity to bring alumni back, especially from the Golden Era, allows the current players to experience the passion, pride, and love they have for Saint Francis.”
 
>> NEC MONTH-BY-MONTH LEADERS
 
With January coming to a close, we present the leaders in various statistical categories on a month-by-month basis from the 2024-25 season.
 
FDU sophomore guard Terrence Brown (Minneapolis, MN/Columbia Heights) and Le Moyne redshirt junior forward Dwayne Koroma (Berlin, Germany/Bishop Walsh (MD) (Iona/Salt Lake CC/UT Arlington)) were the lone players to lead a single statistical category across each of the first three months of the season. Brown paced the NEC in scoring and Koroma was the league’s most accurate shooter from the field.
 
Le Moyne sophomore guard AJ Dancler (Indianapolis, IN/Southport) finished January as the league leader in both assists (5.1/game) and made three-pointers (2.2/game).
 
(Minimums: Games - 4, FG - 3.0/game, FT - 2.0/game, 3PFG - 1.5/game).
 
          November                     December                       January
Scoring   Terrence Brown, FDU (23.1)   Terrence Brown, FDU (18.9)     Terrence Brown, FDU (20.5)       
Reb.      Valentino Pinedo, SFU (7.2)  Dwayne Koroma, LEM (8.3)       Dwayne Koroma, LEM (8.7)
Assists   Terell Strickland, LIU (4.7) Javier Ezquerra, WC (6.2)      AJ Dancler, LEM (5.1)
*FG%      Dwayne Koroma, LEM (.760)    Dwayne Koroma, LEM (.789)      Dwayne Koroma, LEM (.651)
*3PFG%    Tyree Barba-Bey, FDU (.500)  Juan Cranford, Jr., SFU (.552) Zae Blake, WC (.500)
*FT%      Bernie Blunt III, MU (.938)  Dylan Jones, FDU (.933)        Todd Brogna, STO (.957)
3PFG      Dylan Jones, FDU (3.1)       Juan Cranford, Jr., SFU (2.7)  AJ Dancler, LEM (2.2)
Steals    Jeremy Clayville, SFU (2.0)  Chas Stinson, STO (3.2)        Brent Davis, LIU (2.2)
          Joe Ostrowsky, CCSU (2.0)
          Zaire Williams, WC (2.0)
Blocks    Abdul Momoh, CCSU (1.5)      Shadrak Lasu, LIU (1.7)        Abdul Momoh, CCSU (1.6)

>> NEC ANALYTICS ZONE (w/ Ryan Peters, NEC Overtime! blogger)
 
Part of Mercyhurst’s surge up the Northeast Conference standings is due to Gary Manchel’s defense and their ability to extract turnovers. The Lakers have forced 61 turnovers from their opponents, generating 64 points off their opponent’s miscues. Thanks to the Lakers’ matchup zone high level of play, Mercyhurst now has the best defensive turnover rate in league play at 21.4 percent. Furthermore, Manchel’s group is considered to have an excellent transition defense according to Synergy, as the squad is holding opponents to 0.93 points per possession and a 47.1 percent field goal percentage in transition opportunities.

Stonehill’s Todd Brogna (Southborough, MA/Worcester Academy) currently leads all NEC players in KenPom offensive rating (118.5) and has the 348th-best mark in all of college basketball. His 28-point, six-rebound, three-assist and zero-turnover performance in the Skyhawks win over Wagner was one of the most efficient efforts this conference season. The sophomore has done much of his damage posting up with a 55.6 percent shooting percentage in those situations, according to Synergy. The 6-foot-7 big has also excelled in the pick and roll as the screener, draining 53.3 percent of his “pick-and-pop” attempts. To top it off, Brogna’s interior skills have been complimented well by his perimeter game with the power forward shooting 40.0 percent on his catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts.
 
CCSU’s recent 63-50 road win over LIU to gain first place in the NEC was achieved after earning a Bart Torvik Game Score of 85. The victory was the 12th time the Blue Devils posted a Game Score of 50 or better, with Pat Sellers group winning 11 of those contests. The next closest NEC team has four games with a Game Score of 50 or better.
 
Chicago State’s Jalen Forrest (Decatur, GA/Greenforest-McCalep Christian (GA) (Presbyterian)) was terrific in the Cougars’ come-from-behind overtime victory versus LIU on Saturday. The junior netted his third-highest point total of his season with the 19-point effort, which came on an efficient ten shots. In overtime, Forest scored a variety of ways by registering an offensive putback, a low post finish, a long three from the wing and a pick-6 steal for a transition lay-in to ice the game. This season Scott Spinelli has run many different types of plays through Forrest, starting as a pick-and-roll ball handler where he’s scoring 0.81 points per possession, which is considered above average in college basketball according to Synergy. In league play, Forrest is in the top-12 in several offensive categories, including true shooting percentage (58.3), fouls drawn per 40 minutes (4.2), two-point field goal percentage (57.7 percent) and minutes played.