BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University sophomore forward Michael Lofton has been named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Lofton averaged 16.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.3 steals to lead the Bears to a 3-0 mark last week including the championship of the MSU Holiday Classic where he was named the tournament MVP. The Mansfield, Massachusetts native shot a sizzling 85.7% (18-21) from the floor for the week.
Lofton notched 24 points, 13 rebounds and three steals in a 78-75 semifinal win over host Montclair State and registered 11 points, nine boards and a career-high nine steals in a 70-60 championship game victory over Mary Washington. He capped off the week with 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in the Bears' 84-77 MASCAC-opening triumph at Fitchburg State.
Over the first 11 games of the 2012-2013 season, Lofton is averaging 14.6 points to go along with 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 1.7 blocked shot. He is shooting an impressive 64.7% (55-85) from the floor and 77.3% (51-66) at the free throw line.
Lofton currently leads the MASCAC in field goal percentage and steals, and ranks second in blocks. He is also fifth in the conference in both rebounding and free throw shooting, and seventh overall in scoring.
In 39 games over his first two seasons with the Bears, Lofton has amassed 356 points, 249 rebounds, 70 steals and 63 blocked shots while posting a career .646 (137-212) shooting percentage.
The BSU men's basketball team is presently 6-5 on the season with a 1-0 mark in MASCAC play. The Bears travel to conference foe Framingham State on Tuesday night (8:00) to take on the Rams, and then head to UMass Boston on Thursday evening (7:00) for a non-league game with the Beacons. The Bears then return home to entertain MASCAC rival Westfield State on Saturday afternoon (4:00).
Earlier this week, Lofton was selected as the MASCAC Men's Basketball Co-Player of the Week along with Salem State senior forward Nate Simpson.