Rhode Island and St Joe’s got off the fast starts in Week 1. Both teams went 2-0.
Rhode Island kicked off their season with wins over Dartmouth (84-61) and Marist (107-65). Junior EC Matthews has been efficient in both games. Against Dartmouth he scored 21 points in 23 minutes followed by a 22 points in 22 minute performance against Marist. In the first two games, the Rams have four players averaging in double digits.
St Joe’s started out the season with a close victory over Toledo (77-76). Senior Shavar Newkirk led the Owls that night with a 28 point, 9 rebound performance. They followed up their close win with a more comfortable 85-65 win over Columbia.
Other Atlantic 10 teams made it through the first weekend of the season with victories. George Washington got their new coach, Maurice Joseph, a victory in his first game. The Colonials pulled out a hard fought 75-71 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore.
VCU, Davidson, Dayton, and St. Bonaventure all got wins in their openers. VCU defeated UNC-Ashville while Davidson was led by Peyton Aldridge’s 31 in their win over Appalachian State. Dayton’s scored 31 as the Flyers dominated Austin Peay, 96-68. St. Bonaventure saw themselves get off to a good start with a win by beating St. Francis (PA) 92-82.
Duquense, Richmond, Fordham, UMass, and St Louis split their weeks. Duquense freshman, Mike Lewis II, had a solid week scoring 8 points in a win over Loyola (MD) followed by a 19 point performance in a loss to Penn St. Richmond’s ShawDre’ Jones shared Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors with St. Joe’s Newkirk. Jones exploded for 31 in a 3 point victory over VMI. He was 9-13 from the field including 4-5 from the 3 point line. Jones had 23 in a loss to Old Dominion.
George Mason and LaSalle will look for their first victory this week. The Patriots play Lebanon Valley and Mount St. Mary’s this week while LaSalle faces Delaware and Texas Southern.
Awards
Player(s) of the Week: ShawnDre’ Jones (Richmond) and Shavar Newkirk (St. Joseph’s)
Rookie of the Week: Mike Lewis II (Duquense)
