Empire 8 Conference Players of the Week - November 19
Empire 8 Players of the Week
November 12 – November 18
Men’s Basketball
Player – Jake Burgio, Nazareth (Senior, Brockport, N.Y.):
Burgio posted a pair of double-doubles to gain MVP honors as Nazareth opened its season by winning its own BSG Tip-Off Tournament. He had game-highs in points (28) and rebounds (16) in Friday’s 88-81 won over Hiram and then went for 26 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday's 99-95 overtime win over TCNJ. He shot 63.6% from the field (21-33) and 91.7% from the foul line (11-12) for the two games.
Rookie – Darius Hopkins, Utica (Freshman, Tampa, Fla.)
Hopkins was as dangerous of a scoring threat as one could possibly be coming off the bench in his first weekend of collegiate action. He led Utica to two victories and the tournament title at the Hilbert Tip-off tournament. On Friday, he posted a strong debut with twelve points in just fifteen minutes on a 4-6 shooting effort in a 72-63 win over RPI. He was also 4-5 at the foul line and added two steals. On Saturday against Hilbert, Hopkins again entered the game from the bench, and it wasn't long before everyone took notice of the freshman. Hopkins went off for a game-high 28 points in 29 minutes of action and shot nearly 70 percent from the field. He made two three pointers and also added three rebounds and three steals as Utica claimed the tournament title by a 78-75 score. He was named to the all-tournament team.
Women’s Basketball
Player – Rachel Benedict, Nazareth (Junior, Brockport, N.Y.)
Benedict carried Nazareth to the championship of the Susquehanna Tip-Off Tournament, earning MVP honors following wins over Westminster and Susquehanna. She scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Saturday's win over Westminster. In Sunday's championship game against the host school, Benedict had game highs in points (25) and rebounds (10) as Nazareth prevailed 63-59. She shot 56% (14-25) from the field with five three-pointers and went 77.8% (7-9) from the free throw line.
Rookie – Sydney Przygoda, Utica (Freshman, Freehold, N.J.)
Przygoda began to establish herself as a potential mainstay in the Pioneers frontcourt with two excellent performances in her debut week. She had 13 points and five rebounds in a 60-43 win over Potsdam on Tuesday, and had the first double-double of her career a win on Saturday in a win over Wells. She had 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in the road victory on Saturday. Through two games, Przygoda is averaging 13.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Swimming & Diving
Men’s Athlete – TJ Tellekamp, Utica (Senior, Oakdale, N.Y.)
Tellekamp won a total of five events and set a new school record during a pair of dual-meet losses last week against Hamilton and Skidmore. On Friday against Hamilton, he grabbed hold of wins in the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle event to earn 18 points for Utica. On Saturday, Tellekamp's winning effort in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 21.86 set a new school record. He also won the 100-yard freestyle and the 100 yard butterfly on the day to wrap up a successful week.
Women’s Athlete – Tori Argentieri, Hartwick (Junior, Ea. Amherst, N.Y.)
Argentieri won three individual events in a 112-53 victory at Bard College on Saturday. She took the top spot in the 100 back (1:07.14), 200 back (2:20.46), and 400 IM (4:57.18) events on the day. She also combined for a first-place finish in the 200-medley relay.
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the Empire 8.