NORFOLK, Va., December 17, 2012 - Coppin State's Michael Murray was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) Player of the Week the conference announced on Monday. Rashid Gaston of Norfolk State was named Rookie of the Week while Austin Witter of North Carolina A&T was named Defensive Player of the Week, respectively.
Michael Murray (G, 6-5, 210, Jr., Brooklyn, New York) posted back-to-back double double performances as he led the Eagles to a 1-1 finish last week. Against University of Maryland Baltimore County Murray converted 8-of-12 baskets for 19 points with 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes of play. He also posted 11 points and 10 boards with two steals and one assist while playing the entire game against Wagner. For the week Murray averaged 15.0 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 63.2 percent from the floor and 60-percent from the 3-point line.
Rashid Gaston (F, 6-8, 235, Fr., Warren, Ohio) combined for 23 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three steals in a pair of non-conference games last week for the Spartans. Against Illinois Gaston connected on 5-of-9 baskets (55%) and was perfect from the charity stripe (2-of-2) to finish with 12 points, eight rebounds, and one blocked shot. He scored 11 points and hauled down six rebounds with three steals against N.C. State.
Austin Witter (F, 6-8, 195, Sr., Princeton Junction, N.J.) grabbed 13 rebounds with eight blocks and one steal in a 76-71 win over NJIT last week. For the week he totaled 15 rebounds, 10 blocks and three steals as the Aggies finished 1-1 in non-conference play. Offensively he contributed 10 points and four assists.
Other Top Performances
Bruce Beckford (NCAT) combined for 15 points and 13 rebounds to help the Aggies finish 1-1 in non-conference play last week.
Justin Black (MSU) recorded 21 points, shooting 8-of-14 (57%) from the field and 4-of-7 (57%) from 3-point range against Illinois State.
Anthony Hubbard (MSU) fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine boards against Illinois State.
Alphonso Leary (HOW) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds along with six points in a win over Liberty.
Reggie Lewis (FAMU) scored a career-high 26 points, with a career best six three pointers, and five rebounds against Clemson.
Lamont Middleton (NCAT) scored 24 points, including 12-of-14 from the free-throw line, and grabbed six rebounds with four assists and one block in a win over NJIT.
Mike Phillips (HOW) scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 60-53 win over Liberty.
Markee Teal (FAMU) recorded 12 points, connecting on 5-of-10 baskets, with six rebounds against Clemson.
Casey Walker (DSU) posted his first career double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds against Penn State.
-MEACsports.com-