Date Posted: 1/21/2008

MACON, Ga. – Stetson’s Garfield Blair continued his outstanding play over the last month in two games last week. He topped the 20-point mark for the sixth time in seven games in the Hatters’ 12-point win at home against Kennesaw State and while he failed to extend his run of 20-point games two days later against Mercer, he hit the game-winning shot against the Bears on Saturday lifting the Hatters to their first 4-1 start in A-Sun play in 10 years. For his efforts, he earned his first Player of the Week award, the conference office announced on Monday.

Blair, a junior E Business Technology major from Orlando, Fla., opened the week by scoring 13 of his 21 points against Kennesaw State in the second half to help quell an Owls rally that had cut a 25-point deficit to single digits. Two days later, Blair’s 10-foot jump shot in the lane lifted Stetson to a victory against Mercer and avoided losing a game in which the Hatters held a 16-point lead in the second half. Blair scored 18 in the contest, nine in each half.

In his last eight games, spanning one month, Blair has increased his scoring average from 11.2 points per game to his current mark of 16.1 PPG by scoring at least 17 points in all eight games, highlighted by a 32-point effort at UNF on January 5, the game that started the Hatters’ current four-game win streak. Blair also increased his rebounding over this eight-game span. After averaging 4.9 rebounds per game through the first 10 games, he grabbed no fewer than five in any of the eight games since in averaging 8.1 rebounds over that span.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Marcus Allen, JU (Jr. – F – Hollywood, Fla. – Sociology) – Scored 20 or more in a game six times in his career; Double-double vs. UNF is11th career and second in three games; Second time in his career that he has scored 20-plus in back-to-back games, dating back to a streak at the end of his freshman season.

James Florence, MER (So. – G – Marietta, Ga. – Business) –Scored season-high 31 to lead Bears past Florida Gulf Coast in first-ever meeting; Dished out a career-high eight assists vs Eagles; Erupted for 23 second-half points and scored an 15 over a two minute, 15 second span in two-point loss at Stetson.

Delvin Franklin, FGCU (Jr. – G – Houston – Sports Management) – Recorded career-highs in back to back games with 15 against Mercer and 17 in an 85-73 win over Kennesaw State; Shot over 50 percent from the floor and the three-point line in both game; Matched a career-high with six assists in the KSU game.

Jonathan Rodriguez, CAM (So. – F –Miami – Sport Management) – Produced his 9th double-double and 11th 20-plus point game of the year while leading CU to a 93-73 win over Gardner-Webb; Added 14 points and 7 boards in 82-80 win at Longwood; Helped CU extend its season-best winning streak to three games.

Kevin Tiggs, ETSU (Jr. – F – Flint, Mich. – Business) – Averaged 24.0 PPG and 6.5 RPG last week; Netted 30 points at Belmont, a career high and Curb Event Center record for an opponent; Score game-high 18 at Lipscomb; Shot 64 percent from the field and 79 percent on free throws; Averaged two SPG and two APG.

Andy Wicke, BEL (Jr. – G – Hendersonville, Tenn. – Environmental Studies) – Scored 25 points and played solid defense in leading Belmont to two victories; Scored 16 points on 4-for-7 3-pt FG/FGA vs ETSU; Held Player of the Year Courtney Pigram and USC Upstate’s high scoring guard Luke Payne to 10-of-28 shooting.

Related Links:
 • This Week in A-Sun Men's Basketball