EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its weekly award on Monday, Jan. 7. Senior
Rickey McGill of the Iona men's basketball program earns his first ever weekly accolade and is the first Gael to be distinguished since junior
E.J. Crawford was recognized since Dec. 19, 2017.
The Maroon & Gold began league play with two offensively induced wins against Monmouth and Fairfield. During those two games, McGill orchestrated the Gael attack averaging 22.0 points, 6.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He shot 58.3% from the floor and 57.1% from beyond the arc. The Spring Valley, NY native also took 16 attempts from the charity stripe, knocking home 75.0% of his chances.
On Thursday, Jan. 3 against the Hawks, McGill scored a season-high 29 points shooting a proficient 9-for-11 from the floor. He also made a season-best three three-pointers. Prior to tip-off against the Monmouth, McGill had not made a three-pointer in five straight games. The Maroon & Gold defended home court against the Hawks with a 103-97 victory. Iona's 103 points is the highest single-game total by a MAAC men's basketball team this season. It is the first time Iona has crossed the century mark since Feb. 25 last season in a 110-101 loss at Rider.
On Saturday, Jan. 5 against the Stags, McGill scored 15 points and pulled down six rebounds. Primarily he distributed the offense, dishing out nine assists. McGill tied his season-high which was set in the season-opener against Albany on Nov. 9.
As of Monday, Jan. 7, McGill ranks ninth in the MAAC in scoring (14.6), second in assists (73), sixth in free throw percentage (76.7%), first in steals (2.5) and first minutes (36.6) per game. He also sits top-10 in free throw percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio.
McGill's award marks the 50
th time under head coach
Tim Cluess that a student-athlete has been named a MAAC weekly award winner.
The announcement of McGill being named the MAAC Player of the Week comes on the heels of the MAAC and ESPN's announcement that Iona and Rider's contest on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. has been flexed to ESPNU. Tickets to the Iona versus Rider contest, and all Iona men's and women's basketball games, are available on
ICGaels.com.
The Maroon & Gold's next MAAC game is on Friday, Jan. 11 against the Niagara Purple Eagles in Lewiston, NY. The game tips off at 7 p.m. on the
Niagara Sports Network.
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ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (Email Updates)
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