INDIANAPOLIS -- Green Bay sophomore guard Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill./Marshall) is the Horizon League Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, while Milwaukee junior guard Jordan Aaron [Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy (Southeastern CC)] and Youngstown State freshman forward Bobby Hain (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter) were tabbed the Co-Newcomers of the Week, for the week of Nov. 5-11.
Green Bay (1-0) knocked off Chicago State in its opener, 72-67, while Youngstown State (1-0) went on the road to collect an 80-73 win at George Washington. Milwaukee (1-1) split its results, rolling past Mary, 76-46, before falling in overtime at South Carolina, 82-75.
In the Phoenix’s opening win, Sykes scored a career-high 31 points to lift Green Bay. The majority of Sykes’ damage came at the free-throw line, where he set a new program record by hitting 17-of-19 attempts. Going 7-for-14 from the floor and adding seven rebounds, Sykes was the most efficient player on the court in the game.
As a team, Green Bay’s 48 attempts gave the Phoenix the best free-throw rate in the country. Sykes’ top two scoring games have both come against universities from his hometown; as a freshman, Sykes had 27 points against UIC on Feb. 25.
Aaron debuted for Milwaukee with 12 points against the University of Mary before erupting for 28 in the Panthers’ overtime loss. The junior nearly carried UWM to the win in regulation, as the Panthers led from halfway through the first half until the final seconds of regulation. Aaron led all players with 28 points in the game, going 7-for-14 from behind the three-point arc.
In his collegiate opener, Hain led Youngstown State to the seven-point win at George Washington, recording one of two double-doubles in the Horizon League with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Hain scored 15 of his points in the first half, helping the Penguins build an 11-point edge at the half. The freshman rated as the most efficient player in the game, earning a 0.440 efficiency-per-possession rating.
Green Bay will head to Reno, Nev., for the World Vision Classic, taking on Southern Utah, Nevada and Cal State Fullerton Nov. 16-18. Milwaukee will be off until Saturday, Nov. 17, when the Panthers host Davidson at 8 p.m. ET, with the Horizon League Network carrying the game live. Youngstown State meets Georgia on Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPNU, before returning home to host Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday, Nov. 16.
Top Performers for the Week:
Charlie Lee, Cleveland State (So., G) - Posted a career-best 20 points and seven assists in Cleveland State’s 92-47 rout of Grambling.
Ben Averkamp, Loyola (Sr., F) - Averkamp scored a team-high 15 points and added nine rebounds, two assists and a steal as Loyola picked up a 62-50 win over Toledo. The senior became the 39th player in LU history to score 1,000 career points.
Josh Crittle, UIC (Sr., F) - In UIC debut, had his best all-around Division I game, recording career highs in points (15), blocks (5) and minutes (35) played.
Kevin Van Wijk, Valparaiso (Sr., F) - Led Valparaiso with 16 points in the Crusaders’ 85-54 season-opening victory.
Cole Darling, Wright State (Jr., F) - With 18 points in 19 minutes, helped the Raiders collect an 80-70 win at Idaho.
Top Newcomers for the Week:
Jordan Fouse, Green Bay (Fr., F) - Grabbed 10 rebounds in collegiate debut, adding five points, two steals and a block.
Matt O’Leary, Loyola (Fr., F) - O’Leary made an immediate contribution, coming off the bench for eight points, seven rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.
Jordan Coleman, Valparaiso (Jr., G) - Valpo’s second leading scorer in his Crusader debut with 15 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point line.
JT Yoho, Wright State (Fr., F) - Came off the bench to score 17 points in his debut, rating as Wright State’s second-most efficient player per possession.
Men’s Basketball Player of the Week:
Nov. 12: Keifer Sykes, Green Bay
Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week:
Nov. 12: Jordan Aaron, Milwaukee
Bobby Hain, Youngstown State
