Monday, November 28, 2005

Macon, Ga. – Alain Laroche led the University of North Florida to a 2-0 record in their first week of Division I play, earning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office.

Laroche led the Ospreys to a 2-0 start, the program's first 2-0 start since 2000-01. He led the team in scoring both games, scoring 20 points or more in both contests, playing in his first games since the 2003-04 season. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was forced to sit out last season under NCAA transfer rules after coming to UNF from York College.

Laroche scored nine points during a 21-5 UNF run that erased a nine-point deficit against Concordia on Saturday. The senior also finished 12 of 14 from the free throw line in the game. His 14 rebounds on Sunday tied for the 12th most in a single game in school history. Laroche played in 75 of the team's 80 minutes in the two games as well. The 6-6 forward is majoring in Finance at UNF. The Ospreys are the only remaining undefeated team in the A-Sun.

The Atlantic Sun Conference hands out Player of the Week awards weekly during the 2005 men's basketball campaign.

The 11-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS
· Jesse Kimbrough (Sr. - G - Mexia, Texas - Sociology Major)
Kimbrough posted JU’s first double-double between points and assists in nearly two years with 19 points and 12 assists at Big East foe USF.

· Jacob Skogen, Mercer (Jr. - G - Lookout Mountain, Ga. - History Major)
Skogen scored a game-high 32 points at Georgia Southern, highlighted by 5-of-8 three-point shooting.