Lehigh University Athletics
Ninth award puts McCollum in exclusive company
3/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – On a day when he became the first player in Patriot League history to earn the league’s Player and Rookie of the Year awards, C.J. McCollum added another line to his hoops resume when he garnered his ninth Rookie of the Week honor on Monday. McCollum, who is the nation’s number-one scoring freshman, joins teammate Marquis Hall (2006-07) and Bucknell’s Kevin Bettencourt (2002-03) as the only players in league history to win nine Rookie of the Week awards.
In two games for Lehigh last week McCollum averaged an incredible 28.5 points, 6.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steal while shooting 54% from the field, 60% from three-point range and 86% at the foul line. The Ohio native began his week with a 29-point, six-rebound performance in Lehigh’s win over Bucknell on February 24 that gave the Mountain Hawks sole possession of first place in the Patriot League. McCollum sank four three-pointers and nine-of-ten free throws against the Bison and also dished out four assists. The freshman sensation then followed that up with 28 points and a career-best eight assists in Lehigh’s 91-80 victory over Holy Cross on February 27. McCollum drained 10-of-17 shots including five three-pointers and also pulled down five boards in the victory.
A 6-3 guard, McCollum is averaging a team-leading 18.8 points this season and his 544 points are only three away from breaking the all-time Lehigh freshman scoring mark of 546 set by Daren Queenan during the 1984-85 campaign. McCollum, who is already the all-time leading freshman scorer in Patriot League history, is also averaging 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 43% from three-point range and 81% at the foul line.
McCollum has led Lehigh in scoring 15 times this season with 25 games of 10 or more points, 14 games with 20 or more and three games of 30 or more, including a season best 33 versus Army on February 13. He is also the first freshman in school history to post eight games of 25 or more points.
Wednesday’s game will take place at Stabler Arena with tip-off slated for 7:05. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by logging onto Lehighsports.com or at the arena box office prior to tip-off.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors and students with a valid student ID. Lehigh students and faculty/staff must purchase tickets to the game because it is a postseason event. All ID card holders of any kind will be asked to purchase a ticket to the game. Season ticket holders are guaranteed their regular season seats and should purchase by phone or by visiting Grace Hall.
