Yanni Wetzell, senior at San Diego State University
Yanni Wetzell produced a couple of monster performances as San Diego remain unbeaten. He scored 17 points on a perfect 7 from 7 from the field as the Aztecs defeated Wyoming 72-52. He followed that with a career high equaling 20 points (9/12FG) and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the No7 ranked Aztecs. That’s the eleventh time this season the former Westlake big man has scored in double figures
Sam Waardenburg, junior at Miami University
Sam Waardenburg, far from fully fit with tendinitis in the knee, was still a force for Miami in their 74-58 road loss at Top 20 ranked Louisville. Waardenburg led the Miami defensive effort with 10 boards, a block and a steal in addition to scoring 5 points. The former Rangitoto College forward repeated the 10 rebound dose against Pittsburgh and the outcome was better as Miami won 66-58. Waardenburg played all 40 minutes and also notched 7 points, 3 assists and a couple of blocks. Miami now 2-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Dan Fotu, sophomore at St Mary’s College, California.
St Mary’s, California bounced back from the loss at Pacific that went to four periods of overtime with an 87-84 win against BYU. Again the tie went to overtime but this time St Mary’s were victorious, Dan Fotu playing a major hand as he accumulated 17 points (7/9FG), 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.
Angus McWilliam sophomore at University California Riverside
Cantabrian forward Angus McWilliam, with 11 points (5/5FG), 3 rebounds a block and a steal, helped UC Riverside to a 65-59 victory at UC Davis in there opening Big West Conference fixture. In an unusual coincidence the score was identical (65-59) 48 hours later when Riverside beat Cal State Fullerton – 8 points and 5 rebounds in that one for McWilliam.
Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa, senior at Sacramento State University.
A season high 6 assists to compliment 14 points (4/7 3PG), 2 rebounds, 1 block and a steal from Izayah Le’afa helped Sacramento State to a 71-57 win against Weber State. The Hornets are now 3-2 in Big Sky Conference play.
Bubbling Under
Matt Freeman scored 8 points and added 4 rebounds and a couple of assists as UC Santa Barbara opened Big West Conference play with a convincing 63-45 win against Cal Poly. It wasn’t such good news a couple of days later as the Gauchos lost 55-52 on their home patch to Long Beach State – 7 points for Freeman in that one.
Callum McRae had 6 points, 2 rebounds, a block and a steal to compliment Angus McWilliam as UC Riverside defeated Cal State Fullerton 65-59.
It’s nice to see Tobias Cameron back on court for Abilene Christian University. The Kiwi guard produced 5 points, 2 rebounds and an assist in ACU’s 88-84 loss to McNeese.
Still chasing a first Southland Conference win Houston Baptist Universityt lost 102-92 to Lamar with Jackson Stent making 5 points and pulling down 4 rebounds for HBU.
LACEY LOWDOWN 