Monday, December 11, 2006

MACON, Ga. - The Mercer backcourt duo of Shaddean Aaron and James Florence carried the load for the Bears during the team's current three-game win streak, each averaging over 20 points per game, to share Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Aaron averaged 21.7 points helping lead Mercer to three wins on the week, including a two-point win on the road against VMI, which sports the nation's highest scoring offense (102.3 ppg). The junior opened the week as a game-changer versus Charleston Southern, scoring eight straight points in a four-minute span that forced the Buccaneers to call a timeout.

Florence tallied a career-high 22 points and grabbed a career-high five steals in that victory. Against Fort Valley State, the junior tied his career-high with 22 points, including 11-of-13 from the charity stripe, handed out four assists and recorded a career-high three blocks. Aaron finished the week with 21 points at VMI and collected a career-high eight rebounds and eight assists.

Florence averaged 25.3 points, twice establishing a new career-best in scoring. In the Charleston Southern contest, he tallied seven consecutive points during a six-minute span that changed the momentum of the game.

Florence scored 27 points, including 10-of-12 from the free throw line, pulled down eight rebounds and dished out four assists. The Marietta, Ga., native recorded his second straight career-high with 28 points and recorded a career-high six assists in a home win versus Fort Valley State. The freshman capped his stellar week with an 8-of-16 effort from the VMI, scoring 21 points. Florence is majoring in Business.

The Atlantic Sun Conference hands out Player of the Week awards weekly during the 2006-07 men's basketball campaign.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS

· Justin Hare, Belmont (Jr. - G - Cleveland, Tenn. - Exercise Science Major) Scored eight of team-high 19 points in final five minutes of win over IUPUI

· Marcus Allen, Jacksonville (So. - F - Hollywood, Fla. - Undecided Major) Posted 23 points & 12 rebounds to keep JU undefeated at home