Vinales Wins Sixth NEC Rookie Honor
Freshman averaged 22.5 points in a 2-0 week for the Blue Devils
Central Connecticut freshman guard Kyle Vinales was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week for the sixth time on Monday. The sixth selection is the most ever for a Blue Devil, and tied for the second-most in the history of the NEC.
St. Francis (PA)'s Darshan Luckey, Rider's Charles Smith and Monmouth's Alex Blackwell all hold the league record with eight Rookie of the Week selections. Long Island's Julian Boyd, Wagner's Latif Rivers and Bryant's Alex Francis each won the award six times.
Vinales continued his torrid scoring streak last week with a combined 45-point effort in a pair of wins, including a 68-53 victory over Robert Morris at home. The six-time Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week winner averaged 22.5 points and 3.5 assists for the week.
He did most of his damage in a win over Saint Francis (PA), dropping 27 points, including 20 in the first half, to guide the Blue Devils to a 69-58 decision over the Red Flash.
He then reeled off 18 and dished for five assists in the win over the Colonials to boost his season average to 19.5 points per game, ranking him second in the league behind teammate and reigning NEC Player of the Year Ken Horton (21.0). Vinales is also the second-leading freshman scorer in the nation this season.