Nov. 24, 2008

Freshman Andrew Nicholson is the Community Bank/ GoBonnies.com Player of the week after he averaged 14 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks to help the Bonnies to two wins at the Garden State Challenge.

The Mississauga, Ontario native chipped in 13 points and five blocks off the bench to spark a second-half offensive explosion in a 77-54 win over Marist to push the Bonnies to 2-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season. Nicholson provided even more relief off the bench for the Bonnies against Delaware, posting 14 points and six rebounds in a close loss.

Sunday's game against Big East member Rutgers marked the 6-foot-9-inch forwards first career start, and he made the most of it. Facing the daunting post presence of the Scarlet Knights, Nicholson set the tone defensively with a game-high five blocks to go along with his first career double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Nicholson also made three pressure-filled free throws to hold Rutgers at bay down the home stretch.

The win is the first for the Bonnies over a Big East team since 2001 as they move to 3-1, the Bonnies best since the 2001-02 season. The team moves from one major-conference foe to another, as it welcomes SEC member Mississippi State to Bob Lanier Court at the Reilly Center Tuesday, Nov. 25 for a 7 p.m. tip.