CIAA Announces Men’s & Women’s Basketball Weekly Honors #7

By: CIAA

FOOD LION MEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#23 Robert Osborne, Virginia Union
(Sr., 6-5 Forward – Richmond, VA)

Robert Osborne scored a career-high 33 points, along with 11 rebounds and four assists in the 101-92 overtime loss to conference foe Livingstone on the road. The Richmond, VA native shot 58 percent from the field, making 14 of 24 shot attempts in the game last week. This is the senior’s sixth double-double and he has scored double-digits in every game this season.

FOOD LION MEN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#11 Francis “BJ” Fitzgerald, Virginia State
(Gr., 6-6 Guard – Danville, VA)

Last week, Francis “BJ” Fitzgerald recorded a career-high 17 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards in the 74-68 road victory over Claflin in conference action. The Danville, VA native also added 16 points, two steals, and two assists to give the Panthers their first loss of the season. 17 rebounds from the graduate student rank as the third-best rebounding performance of the season so far in the CIAA.

FOOD LION MEN’S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

#5 Ezekiel Cannedy, Johnson C. Smith
(Fr, 6-2 Guard – Kings Mountain, NC)

Ezekiel Cannedy led the Golden Bulls with 14 points in last week’s loss to Lincoln (PA). The Kings Mountain, NC native shot three-of-six from the field, including two-of-three from behind the arc, plus six-of-eight at the free throw line. This is the freshman’s second consecutive rookie of the week honor.

FOOD LION WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#11 Kalyn Ervin, Virginia State
(Jr., 5-6 Guard – Indianapolis, IN)

Kalyn Ervin scored a game-high and career-high 23 points in the 69-64 win over Claflin in league action. The Indianapolis, IN native shot 5-of-7 (71%) from three-point range and 8-of-14 (57%) from the field. The junior also tallied five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Five assists also tie a season-high for the guard. This is her sixth straight game of scoring at least 14 points while also recording multiple steals in the contest.

FOOD LION WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
#11 Ny Langley, Virginia Union
(Jr., 5-10 Forward – Greenville, SC)
Ny Langley recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds in the 75-71 overtime win over Livingstone last week. All 11 boards were defensive rebounds. This is the junior’s sixth double-double and the Greenville, SC native continues her streak of at least 10 points scored in every game this season. 

FOOD LION WOMEN’S ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
#25 Bruni Martinez, Virginia Union
(Fr., 6-0 Forward – Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic)
In the win over Livingstone, Bruni Martinez grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds (seven offensive boards) and added eight points and two blocks in the game, all career-highs for the Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic native.