Tuesday, January 06, 2009

MACON, Ga.- The Belmont Bruins remained unbeaten in Atlantic Sun play over the weekend thanks in large part to the stellar play of guard Amber Rockwell. The junior averaged 24 points and three rebounds in two league contests, and on Tuesday earned the second Player of the Week honor of her career, the league office announced.

Rockwell exploded in back-to-back Atlantic Sun contests to help Belmont remain the only undefeated team in the league. Against Stetson, the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native netted 19 points, with nine coming from behind the three-point arc. She was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe and knocked down 42.8 percent of her shots from the floor. Two days later, Rockwell's first half total of 16 points was just six points shy of FGCU's entire team total. She went on to match her career-high 29 points en route to Belmont's victory against the Eagles. Rockwell, who is ranked 74th in the nation in free-throw shooting, only missed one attempt at the stripe through the two game stretch, knocking down eight.

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:

Dominique Chism, Mercer (F - Dallas, Texas - Sr. - Education) – Averaged 15.5 points per game in two contests this week, leading the team with 16 points against MVC power Wichita State before posting 15 points against A-Sun rival Campbell.

Latisha Belcher, ETSU (F - Martinsville, Va. - Jr. - Pre-Education) - For the week Belcher averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals, while going 56.3 from the field (9-of-16).

DaVina Hamilton, Jacksonville (G - Miami, Fla. - Sr. - Communications) - For the week, she averaged 16 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor and 80 percent (8-10) from the free-throw line.