MBB's Stokes, Zirlis Nab NECC Honors

MANSFIELD, Mass. – Two members of the Mitchell College men's basketball team were honored by the New England Collegiate Conference on Monday.

Junior guard Alfonzo Stokes as named NECC Player of the Week while freshman forward Robert Zirlis was tabbed NECC Rookie of the Week. The duo helped Mitchell to a 2-0 week that included wins over SUNY Maritime and Lesley University.

Stokes earned the honor for the first time in his career. He averaged 25.5 points per game and shot 76 percent from the field last week. He recorded his first-ever double-double with career highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds in the 85-71 victory at SUNY Maritime, shooting 12-for-15 from the floor and 7-for-10 at the line. He followed that up with 20 points in only 20 minutes of action against Lesley in a 119-91 win.

Zirlis was recognized as the conference's top rookie for the second straight week, averaging 14.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He netted a career-high 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting against Lesley, and earlier in the week he finished with nine points and four rebounds at SUNY Maritime.

Stokes has played in 16 games this season and leads the team in scoring at 18.4 points per game. He currently ranks third in the conference in scoring and fourth in field goal percentage (.506). Zirlis has seen action in all 17 contests with 10 starts and is averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Mitchell (9-8 overall) has won four straight games and will host Eastern Nazarene College later today at 7:30 p.m.