BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the eighth time this season and an impressive 13th time in his career, Bridgewater State University senior forward Michael Lofton has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Lofton notched his seventh straight double-double and 13th of the season in BSU's 77-70 victory over conference foe Salem State University.  The Mansfield, Massachusetts product led all players with 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Bears clinched the #2 seed and a first round bye in this week's MASCAC Tournament.  Lofton, who connected on 10 of 15 field goal attempts, also added a game-high six assists to go along with a block and two steals.

In 22 games this season, Lofton is averaging 18.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks.  He is also shooting 55% (157-285) from the floor.

Lofton currently leads the MASCAC in scoring and rebounding.  He also ranks third in the conference in field goal percentage, fourth in assists, and fifth in both steals and blocks.

Among the national Division III leaders, Lofton is tied for ninth in double-doubles and tied for 15th in rebounding.

In 103 games over four seasons with the Bears, Lofton has amassed 1,438 points, 884 rebounds, 190 assists, 152 blocked shots and 185 steals.  He is currently the Bears' all-time leader in field goal percentage (.606) and blocked shots, and is second all-time in rebounding. Lofton also ranks ninth among the team's career scoring leaders.

Winners of three straight games, the BSU men's basketball team is currently 17-7 on the season. The Bears (10-2 MASCAC) will host a MASCAC Tournament semifinal round contest on Thursday night at 7:30 against either Fitchburg State University or Worcester State University. The third-seeded Falcons and the sixth-seeded Lancer will face-off in a quarterfinal round game on Tuesday night at seven.