College basketball weekly awards: St. Francis' Tedrick Wilcox, Pawtucket native, honored by NEC
Monday during college basketball season means it’s time for weekly awards.
There were no major winners from the state’s eight Division I programs, but the locals still brought in some secondary honors for their play between Nov. 22-28. Pawtucket native Tedrick Wilcox leads the list, thanks to his efforts with the St. Francis Brooklyn men.
Wilcox was named a Northeast Conference Prime Performer after scoring in double figures in all three games for the Terriers. He pumped in a career-high 19 points in an upset bid at St. John’s, a 76-70 road defeat on Tuesday. Wilcox added 10 points apiece in weekend losses to McNeese State and North Carolina A&T — his 11 rebounds against the Cowboys gave him a first double-double with St. Francis Brooklyn.
Wilcox prepped at Tolman and Rocky Hill before playing his first two college seasons in Division II with Dominican. He transferred up a level prior to the 2021-22 campaign and is third on his team in scoring at 8.5 points per game. Wilcox is shooting 48.6% from the field and an even 50% from 3-point range.
Two Bulldogs recognized
Peter Kiss and Charles Pride also were listed as Prime Performers by the NEC for their efforts last week.
Bryant’s perimeter duo each enjoyed one strong game among the two played by the Bulldogs. Kiss stood out in a victory Friday at Brown while Pride gave his club a chance to rally in an overtime loss to Dartmouth on Sunday.
Kiss collected 16 points, five rebounds and six assists in a 65-59 triumph over the Bears. Pride popped for 23 points and 14 rebounds in a 63-61 setback against the Big Green. Bryant returns to action Friday at Houston.
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Quite a week for Horchler
Noah Horchler was the most productive player on the floor at Providence through its three games last week.
The graduate forward was named to the Big East Honor Roll after his performance at the Legends Classic and in a win on Saturday over Saint Peter’s. Horchler averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds while adding a selection to the all-tournament team in Newark.
Horchler hit double figures twice in a win over Northwestern and a loss to Virginia at Prudential Center. He followed with 25 points on 9-for-10 shooting in an 85-71 cruise past the Peacocks at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Horchler knocked down his first nine shots and added 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double with the program.
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Two Bears receive honors
Brown placed a pair of guards on the Ivy League Honor Roll thanks to a pair of standout performances last week.
Dan Friday and Kino Lilly Jr. took turns in starring roles for the Bears during a 1-2 stretch. Friday hit double figures against Colorado and Bryant while Lilly dominated the second half in a win on Sunday at Quinnipiac.
Friday collected 13 points in a Paradise Jam finale against the Buffaloes and a team-high 17 points at the Pizzitola Center against the Bulldogs, as Brown dropped both games by a combined eight points. Lilly scored all of his team-high 24 points in the second half as the Bears held off the Bobcats, 72-61. Brown is back above the .500 mark at 5-4 entering its Wednesday matchup at UMass-Lowell.
Previous Week: Here's Bill Koch's Top 5 RI college basketball performers
A-10 acknowledges Sheppard
University of Rhode Island guard Jeremy Sheppard was named to the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll after a strong finish to his week.
The sixth-year senior totaled 21 points and six assists in a 94-59 spanking of Georgia State on Saturday. Sheppard went 7-for-11 from the floor, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range. He was also turnover-free through 29 minutes.
Sheppard bounced back from just seven points in a road defeat against Florida Gulf Coast. His most recent game was more in line with the preseason all-conference selection Sheppard received in October. The Rams will visit Harvard on Wednesday.
5 takeaways: URI's 94-59 rout of Georgia State
Mauricio shines for Brown
Brown’s second victory of the season on the women’s side came partly thanks to Ivy League Honor Roll member Isabella Mauricio.
The freshman guard dropped in 15 points and dished out eight assists in a 72-68 road triumph over the Hawks. Mauricio did all of her scoring from beyond the arc, going 5-for-12 from 3-point range.
The California native enjoyed another strong showing over the weekend despite a sweep at the TD Bank Classic against Vermont and North Dakota. Mauricio broke out for a career-high 20 points in a defeat Sunday against the Fighting Hawks. She’s averaging a team-high 12.6 points while starting each of the first eight games for the Bears.
Another prime performer
Brooke Bjelko helped lead the Bryant women to a 1-1 week and was named an NEC Prime Performer.
The graduate center averaged 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in matchups with Fisher and Holy Cross. Bjelko reached at least 17 points and eight boards in both games, a consistent output the Bulldogs have come to rely upon in recent seasons.
Bjelko shot 53.1% from the field against the Falcons and Crusaders. Bryant enters a two-game road swing on Wednesday night with a visit to Albany.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island college basketball top weekly performances Nov. 2021
