Tuesday, December 23, 2008

MACON, Ga. - ETSU's Kevin Tiggs continued his scoring bonanza and Belmont’s Alex Renfroe registered his two most prolific scoring nights to share the Atlantic Sun Player of the Week award, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

Tiggs, a senior forward from Flint, Mich., exceeded the 30-point plateau for the third time in four games in pacing the Buccaneers past rival Chattanooga, 82-70, in the A-Sun’s Game of the Week. Tiggs hit on 11-of-13 shots in the game, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range and 8-of-12 from the foul line. He also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and picked up a steal while playing just 26 minutes as he battled foul trouble.

In four December games, Tiggs has scored a total of 115 points --31 against Marshall, 21 at Mercer, 31 versus Appalachian State plus his 32-point showing against Chattanooga, for a 28.8 points per game average. Only Davidson’s All-America Stephen Curry has posted a higher per game average for the month, among players to have played at least three games during the month. For the season, Tiggs leads the A-Sun and ranks 13th in the country in scoring, averaging 22.0 points per game. In nine games against non-conference opponents, Tiggs has averaged 22.1 points per game. Dating back to the start of the 1996-97, only one A-Sun player has boasted a better per-game average in non-conference games, ETSU’s Tim Smith hit for 23.6 points per game in 2005-06, en route to winning the A-Sun Player of the Year award.

Renfroe electrified the Bruins offense last week, averaging 24.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game as Belmont defeated Sun Belt preseason favorite Middle Tennessee and defending OVC champion Austin Peay, while battling to the buzzer at No. 16 Tennessee. Prior to last week, Renfroe had never scored more than 18 points in a game, but the exercise science major from Hermitage, Tenn., scored 25 points with six rebounds and four assists in the 82-69 win against the Blue Raiders.

Three days later against the Volunteers, Renfroe poured in a new career-high 30 points on 8-for-15 shooting with seven rebounds in Belmont's narrow 79-77 loss. On Monday, he helped Belmont avenge an early-season loss to Austin Peay as he scored 17 points with six assists and five rebounds in the Bruins' 72-62 triumph against the Governors. For the week, Renfroe led the nation in both free throws made and attempted, going 34-for-48 from the free throw line.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast 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

Eni Cuka, UNF (Jr. - G - Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Sociology) -- Cuka made a smashing debut with the Ospreys this past week, averaging 17 points and 3.3 rebounds in three contests. It didn't take Cuka long to get warmed up to his new teammates. After scoring six points against Clemson, he scored a game-high 27 in helping UNF break its road losing streak at 54 games. Cuka hit 4-of-5 shots beyond the 3-point arc in the first half against Furman before going on to lead the Ospreys with 18 points in a win against Palm Beach Atlantic.

Bobby Davis, USC Upstate (Sr. - F - Aiken, S.C. - Business Management) -- Averaged a double-double with 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Also dished out five assists and had three steals on the week. Shot 50 percent from the field (19-of-38) and was 5-of-7 (71.4%) from the free throw line. Had 13 points and 11 rebounds at Fresno State. Had 19 points and a career-high 15 rebounds against Southern in the win. Finished the Saint Louis game with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb (So. - C - Saravejo, Bosnia - Undeclared) -- Averaged 21.5 points and 10 rebounds per game in two non-conference road gamea for the Bisons. Hodzic set a career high with 25 points against Elon. He tied a career high with 12 rebounds against NC State. Hodzic shot 60 percent (18-of-30) from the field and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the free throw line. Hodzic also set season highs for minutes played in both games (32 at NC State and then 36 at Elon).

Jonathan Rodriguez, Campbell (Jr. - F - Miami - Sport Management) -- Rodriguez recorded his third double-double of the year with a 23-point, 12-rebound performance in CU's 19-67 win over UNC Pembroke on Saturday.