JUSTICE MERCADEL OF AUSTIN COLLEGE, a junior guard from Little Elm, Texas, has been named the SCAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for games played from Sunday, December 29 through Sunday, January 5.

Mercadel led Austin averaging 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks-per-game as the ‘Roos went 1-1 over the holiday break. Mercadel also shot 59.1% from the field, 60% from beyond the arc, and 92.9% from the free throw lin. In the ‘Roos 96-77 win over Johnson & Wales Mercadel recorded a double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while adding four assists and  two steals.  

Other outstanding performances in the SCAC:
Freshman Andray Thomas Jr. of Johnson & Wales averaged 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during JWU’s pair of games over the holiday break. Sophomore Ben Hanley of Trinity led the Tigers to a 2-2 start to conference play. Hanley averaged 11.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game over the four-game stretch, shooting 17-45 (37.8%) from the field. In the win over Centenary, Hanley recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Senior Brandon Alexander of Southwestern had a combined 52 points over SU’s three games. Alexander averaged 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Senior Cooxooeii Black of Colorado College averaged 21 points, 8.25 rebounds and 2.25 assists during CC’s four games over the holiday break. Black matched his season-best of 27 points during the Tiger’s 88-80 victory over Austin College, and posted his fifth double-double of the season. Sophomore Jai Love of Dallas made an impact off the bench combining for 24 points. This included a game-high 15 in 72-64 victory over Colorado College. Senior Jorden Kite of Texas Lutheran averaged 15.0 points per game and shot 50 percent from the three-point line (11 for 22) to lead the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs to a 3-0 record in SCAC play over the holiday break. He averaged 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest. Senior Nathan Thormaehlen of St. Thomas led the Celts with 13.8 points per game over the team’s four games over the holiday break. Thormaehlen shot 64 percent from the field, and had a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore Ty Prince of Centenary scored 83 points in Centenary’s four games over the holiday break. Prince scored 24 points in an overtime victory over Colorado College followed by a 25-point performance in the Gents win over the Johnson and Wales.