HCC’s O’Neal, IUSB’s Mullen Gain Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Nods
CHICAGO — A historic week for Holy Cross College’s Justin O’Neal (Dayton, Ohio) has earned him Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Indiana University South Bend’s Nick Mullen (Chesterton, Ind.) claimed his second league defensive weekly award when the league office made the announcement on Tuesday.
O’Neal averaged 27.5 points per game in a pair of conference wins last week and, in the process, reached the 1,000-point mark for his career. That came last Wednesday in a 76-71 win over Olivet Nazarene University when the senior guard totaled 24 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Three days later, O’Neal was even more impressive, putting up 31 points and providing four assists in a 103-92 decision over Judson University. In that game on Saturday, he shot 57.9 percent from the field (11-of-19), including converting 6-of-11 three-pointers (54.5 pct.).
For the week, O’Neal shot 55.6 percent from the floor (20-of-36) with nine treys in 19 attempts (47.4 pct.). He also was perfect in six free-throw attempts.
The two wins put the Saints at .500 in league play (4-4) and 7-8 overall.
Mullen gained his second defensive honor by averaging 8.0 defensive rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in a pair of split decisions during the week ending Jan. 12. On Saturday, the junior forward rang up five blocks and 10 defensive boards in a 91-73 victory over St. Ambrose University. His other numbers included 11 points, 12 total caroms, two assists and one steal.
Three nights earlier, Mullen contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, one block, one steal and one assist in a 79-76 setback to Saint Xavier University last Wednesday.
The 1-1 week left the Titans at 8-8 overall and 5-3 in the league.
Other Offensive Nominees: Vincent Davis (Governors State), Colin Adams (Viterbo), Atem Agot (St. Ambrose), Caleb Corro (Olivet Nazarene), Rahmel Davis (St. Francis), Jylen Petty (Indiana South Bend), Trace Williams (Indiana Northwest), Mekhi Wilson (Saint Xavier).
Other Defensive Nominees: Aitor Anabitarte (St. Francis), Davide Brembilla (Holy Cross), Ignacio Dacunda (St. Ambrose), Dekari Graham (Governors State), Davion Lawrence (Saint Xavier), Daniel Murphy (Olivet Nazarene), Christian Rohde (Viterbo), Trace Williams (Indiana Northwest).