BRIDGEWATER, Mass. --For the fourth time this season, Bridgewater State University junior forward Michael Lofton has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

The MVP of last week’s MASCAC Tournament, Lofton averaged 13.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during the Bears’ tournament title run.

Lofton notched 24 points, including the 1,000th of his career, to go along with 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in an 83-73 MASCAC Championship Game victory over Salem State.  The Mansfield, Massachusetts native added ten rebounds, three assists a block and two steals in a 66-62 semifinal win over Worcester State.

The BSU men’s basketball team will be making its’ seventh NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth in the last six years.  The Bears (16-11) will travel to Cabrini College to take on the Cavaliers in first round action on Friday night at 7:30.

Through 27 games this season, Lofton is averaging 16.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.7 blocked shots per game.  He is also shooting 64% (179-278) from the floor.

Lofton currently leads the MASCAC and ranks eighth in all of Division III in field goal percentage.  He is also second in the conference in blocks, third in scoring and rebounding, and sixth in steals.

In 80 games over three seasons at Bridgewater State, Lofton has amassed 1,013 points, 649 rebounds, 124 assists, 146 steals and 124 blocks.  He is presently the Bears’ all-time leader in field goal percentage (.632).