Dec. 15, 2009

By Amy Farnum
NCAA.com

STREAKS STOPPED: It took three overtimes and a combined 212 points, but Wilmington College outlasted then-No. 2 John Carroll, 107-105, on Dec. 12, in Ohio Athletic Conference play.

Wilmington senior guard R.J. Brown tallied 23 points, 10 rebounds and four steals, committing just one turnover in 45 minutes of action en route to the Quakers’ eighth straight victory.  It was the first career double-double for the native of Circleville, Ohio, who garnered OAC Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

The Quakers’ win over John Carroll was the highest ranked team they have defeated in program history, and moved the squad to 3-0 and first place in the OAC standings.

THUNDERSTRUCK:  Wheaton (Ill.) College’s Tim McCrary was selected College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Player of the Week for his performance during a 1-1 week for the No. 8 Thunder.

The sophomore forward began the week with 18 points and seven rebounds in a 64-62 loss to two-time defending NCAA champion and top-ranked Washington (Mo.) on Dec. 9, and then exploded for a triple-double in the Thunder’s 127-100 victory over Grinnell on Saturday.  The native of Wilmette, Ill., posted 35 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists while shooting 81 percent from the field against the Pioneers.

BEAR MINIMUM:  Washington (Mo.) University’s Aaron Thompson picked up his third University Athletic Association Player of the Week award, and eighth of his career, after averaging 22.5 points with a 68.2 field goal shooting percentage in pair of victories over nationally-ranked foes last week.

The senior guard registered 19 points and five rebounds in a two-point defeat of then-No. 8 Wheaton, and followed it up with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting in a 71-53 win over No. 15 Augustana College on Dec. 12 as the Bears remained unbeaten on the year.

Against Augustana, Thompson moved into 11^th place on the school’s all-time scoring list.  He leads the UAA in scoring (22.4 ppg) and three-pointers made per game with 3.1.

Washington (7-0) looks to finish 2008 with a flawless record at Fontbonne University on Dec. 19.

FIELDS OF DREAMS:  No. 25 Virginia Wesleyan is off to its best start since the 2003-04 season at 8-1 after turning back Shenandoah University, 90-78, behind senior Stephen Fields’ triple-double last Saturday.

The native of Hampton, Va., recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 10 assists as he helped the Marlins to head coach Dave Macedo’s 200^th victory.  The 10-year head coach is ranked among the top 10 of current active Division III coaches in winning percentage, and now owns a 200-71 career record. 

Fields averaged 19.7 points per game during the Marlins’ 3-0 week, earning Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for his efforts.  He ranks third in the league with a 19.6 scoring average this season.

SLAM DUNKS:  York (Pa.) is off to a 3-0 start in Capital Athletic Conference action thanks to senior guard Nick Brady’s stellar play.  After a last-second three-pointer that lifted the Spartans to a 64-61 win over then-No. 14 St. Mary’s (Md.) last weekend, Brady contributed 25 points in a 97-86 defeat of Wesley.  He is the reigning CAC Player of the Week and leads the Spartans in scoring with 20.3 points per game … Mississippi College senior guard Donnie Haywood averaged 20 points in two wins as the Choctaws remained perfect on the season.  The native of Monroe, La., was tabbed American Southwest Conference East Division Player of the Week, scoring 32 of his 40 points in second-half action last week.