Monday, January 08, 2007

MACON, Ga. – Jacksonville’s Marcus Allen controlled the paint in a pair of conference wins for the Dolphins, earning Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors as announced by the league office. The sophomore forward opened the week with an 11 point/eight rebound effort in a 73-64 victory over Gardner-Webb. The win snapped JU’s 21-game conference losing streak and firmly placed the Dolphins’ rebuilding effort in high gear.

Two nights later, Allen ripped down 18 rebounds and added 15 points to lead Jacksonville past Campbell in impressive fashion 90-71. His 18 rebounds are the second most by an A-Sun player this season and the most by a Dolphin since the 2004-05 campaign. For the year, the Hollywood, Fla., native ranks second on the team in scoring and leads the squad in rebounding. Allen is majoring in Sociology.

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
• Eddie Ard, Lipscomb
(Sr. - G – Newbern, Tenn. – Psychology Major)
Averaged 24.3 points per game in three contests

• Jonathan Rodriguez, Campbell
(Fr. - F – Miami, Fla. – Sport Management Major)
Posted two double-doubles in three conference games

• Boomer Herndon, Belmont
(Sr. - C – Nashville, Tenn. – Communications Studies Major)
Scored season-high 24 points on 11-of-12 shooting in win at Kennesaw State

• Matt French, Gardner-Webb
(Fr. - F – Melbourne, Australia – Health & Physical Education Major)
Netted career-best 20 points in first career start versus ETSU