For Immediate Release
Monday, January 23, 2012
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#34 James Ellisor
F, 6-5, 195, Sr.,
Glendale, Ariz.
Glendale HS
Bemidji State
James Ellisor averaged 30 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, as the Bemidji State men’s basketball team went 2-0 in an NSIC home weekend to improve to 9-4 in conference play and sit in a tie for third in the league standings. Ellisor tied a career-high 34 points in a 75-67 win against Minnesota State before scoring a game-high 26 in the 70-56 victory versus SMSU. From the start of the second half of the game against MSU, through the SMSU contest, Ellisor missed just two shots from the field (19-for-21) and on the weekend posted an 82.8 percentage from the floor (24-for-29). He went 11-for-12 (91.7%) from the charity stripe and hit on his only 3-pointer of the weekend. He played in 35.5 minutes per game and added five steals, two assists and one block.
His 13 field goals made against MSU is tied for second in the NSIC and the 91.7 percentage shooting (11-for-12) against SMSU ranks as the best field goal shooting performance this season among his conference opponents.
In conference games, Ellisor has the two highest scoring games in the NSIC this season (also had 34 against Augustana College Jan. 7). He has eleven 20-point performances this season, four more than the next player. His 22.1 points per game leads the NSIC. This marks the second time this season Ellisor has been named NSIC Player of the Week (11/21/11).
NSIC Men's Basketball Notes
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE - Cody Schilling (G, 6-5, 190, Sr., Ellsworth, Minn./Ellsworth HS) averaged 17.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for Augustana last weekend against Upper Iowa and No. 8 Winona State. He also shot 50 percent (11 of 22) from the floor, handed out one assist and recorded two steals. On Friday against UIU, Schilling netted seven points and grabbed eight rebounds. He had 27 points and 7.5 rebounds on Saturday against WSU. Schilling is at 1671 career points--sixth all time at Augustana. He needs 11 more to move into fifth (Scott Beckstrand, 1681) and 34 to move into fourth (Jason Garrow, 1704). Schilling recently past current Augustana Athletics Director Bill Gross (1628) on the all-time scoring list.
BEMIDJI STATE - James Ellisor (F, 6-5, 195, Sr., Glendale, Ariz. / Glendale CC) averaged 30 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, as the Bemidji State men’s basketball team went 2-0 in an NSIC home weekend to improve to 9-4 in conference play and sit in a tie for third in the league standings. Ellisor tied a career-high 34 points in a 75-67 win against Minnesota State before scoring a game-high 26 in the 70-56 victory versus Southwest Minnesota State. From the start of the second half of the game against MSU, through the SMSU contest, Ellisor missed just two shots from the field (19-for-21) and on the weekend posted an 82.8 percentage from the floor (24-for-29). He went 11-for-12 (91.7%) from the charity stripe and hit on his only 3-pointer of the weekend. He played in 35.5 minutes per game and added five steals, two assists and one block.
His 13 field goals made against MSU is tied for second in the NSIC and the 91.7 percentage shooting (11-for-12) against SMSU ranks as the best field goal shooting performance this season among his conference opponents.
In conference games, Ellisor has the two highest scoring games in the NSIC this season (also had 34 against Augustana College Jan. 7). He has 11, 20 point performances this season, four more than the next player. His 22.1 points per game leads the NSIC.
CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL - #5 Peter Olafeso (G, 6-2, 200, Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) led Concordia to a pair of wins over the weekend by averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. In Friday night’s upset over #18 MSU Moorhead, Olafeso scored 15 points, had eight rebounds and four assists while sinking all seven of his free throw attempts. On Saturday, he was only needed for 25 minutes as he led the team to a 32-point lead midway through the second half. Against the Golden Eagles, he shot 5-7 from the floor (71.4%), made his only three-point attempt and all three of his free throws while scoring 14 points with five assists (no turnovers) and four rebounds. For the weekend, he was perfect from the stripe (10-10) and long range (1-1) while shooting 50.0% (9-18) from the field.
The Golden Bears win over the Dragons gives them a 2-1 record against ranked opposition on the season and a 2-0 mark against ranked teams at home. This weekend, Concordia travels to Augustana and Wayne State on Friday and Saturday. Against Augustana, Concordia is 5-7 all-time with the Vikings holding a 5-2 mark against Concordia in Kelly Boe’s six seasons. Concordia is 1-3 all-time at Elmen Center. Earlier this year, Concordia knocked off Augustana when they were the 21st-ranked team in the land, 81-77 with five players in double-figures. They held NSIC Preseason Player of the Year Cody Schilling to 4-13 shooting and 12 points.
The Golden Bears are 14-12 all-time against Wayne State and have won 9 of the last 12 contests despite Wayne State winning the last two meetings. In Wayne, Concordia 5-7 all-time but have won four consecutive games at Rice Auditorium and haven’t lost there since the 2005-06 season. Under Kelly Boe, Concordia is 7-3 in six years. Earlier this year, the Wildcats beat Concordia 77-73 despite 23 points from senior Peter Olafeso on 9-12 shooting. Amry Shelby led WSC with 23 points of his own while Ty Bauschek poured in a career-high 17 points on five three-pointers off the bench.
UNIVERSITY OF MARY - Damon Smith (F, 6-7, Sr., Milwaukee, WI/Ellsworth CC) continued his outstanding play this season in leading the University of Mary to a 70-69 win at Northern State. The senior post player scored 19 points, pulled down eight rebounds and distributed three assists to lead the Marauders in each category. Smith, second in blocks in the NSIC, played all 40 minutes and added a block and a steal to his game totals. He scored the winning field goal with 2:48 left in the game and added two free throws with 28 seconds on the clock to seal the win… Alex Dorr (F, 6-6, Jr., Norwalk, IA) was perfect behind the arc against the Wolves, draining four three-pointers and scoring 12 points in the win. He hit three treys in less than three minutes to open the second half.
MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON - Minnesota, Crookston team dropped games at St. Cloud State University (69-57) and Concordia University, St. Paul (82-65) to fall to 5-12 overall and 1-12 in the NSIC. Akeem Cubie (6-6, Sr, G/F, Minneapolis, Minn.) leads the Golden Eagles averaging (16.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Jacolby Anderson is averaging 15.8 points per game. U of M, Crookston returns to NSIC action when they host Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
MINNESOTA DULUTH - Minnesota Duluth couldn’t quite complete the sweep in their final two home games in the month of January, but Ryan Rasmussen did all he could to try and make it happen. The 6-2 senior tallied a game - and season - high 30 points as the Bulldogs survived 29 turnovers to come up with a 94-90 win agaisnt Southwest Minnesota State on Friday (Jan. 20). The Waupun, Wis., native also registered four assists, two steals and a blocked shot in the UMD victory. Less than 24 hours later, the guard one-upped his performance from the previous evening pouring in a new season-high of 32 points in UMD’s 89-82 setback against Minnesota State. On the weekend, Rasmussen averaged 31 points per game on 20-for-42 (47.6 percent) shooting including a mark of seven-for-19 (36.8 percent) from downtown. He was also nearly flawless at the charity stripe (15-for-18) while notching 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game on the weekend.
MINNESOTA STATE - Jimmy Whitehead (G, 6-1, 175, So., LaCrosse, Wis./Aquanis) led the Mavericks in scoring this weekend, averaging 17.5 points per game while playing a team-high 37.5 minutes per contest. In Friday’s loss at Bemidji State, Whitehead played 39 minutes and scored a career-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from downtown. During those 39 minutes he committed just one turnover and passed out four assists. He followed up Friday’s performance with a 16-point effort at Minnesota Duluth on 5-of-10 shooting, while hitting all five free throws and passing out five assists. For the weekend he shot 54.5 percent from the floor, 45.5 percent from the three-point line and 85.7 percent from the free throw line. He also averaged 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, one block and 2.5 steals per game.
Four Mavericks established career-highs in scoring over the weekend…In MSU’s loss at Bemidji State, sophomore forward Connor O’Brien scored a career-high 22 points while gathering nine rebounds…Sophomore guard Jimmy Whitehead added a career-high 19 points against the Beavers…In Saturday’s win at Minnesota Duluth, senior guard Stephen Kirschbaum poured in a career-high 25 points while freshman forward Zach Romashko netted a season-high 23…Romashko’s three-pointer with 4:13 remaining gave MSU the lead for good…It was just his second make of the season in as many attempts…All four mentioned Mavericks averaged over 15 points per game this weekend as MSU shot 49.6 percent from the floor.
MSU MOORHEAD - Charlie Chapman (G, 5-11, Sr., Hartland, Wis.) averaged 19 points per game this weekend. He scored 23 points had three rebounds and three steals on Friday, Jan.20 against Concordia- St. Paul and had 15 points on Saturday, Jan. 21 against SCSU.
NORTHERN STATE - Trent Zomer (F, 6-6, 220, Jr., Melbourne, Australia/Ringwood Secondary) notched his second career double-double in the last three games, posting 19 points and 12 rebounds in Saturday’s 70-69 heartbreaker to U-Mary. Both efforts were career bests for the sophomore, who also had one assist, one block and three steals in 28 minutes of court time. Zomer was 8 of 12 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from long range, and had eight offensive rebounds.
SMSU - Nick Smith (C, 6-9, So., Johnston, Iowa) averaged 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 59.2 percent from the field in SMSU’s two losses over the weekend. Smith scored a career-high 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting, with seven rebounds, in SMSU’s 94-90 loss to Minnesota Duluth. In the setback to Bemidji State on Saturday night, Smith scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
ST. CLOUD STATE - Shaun Jensen (G, 6-1,185, Jr., Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS) led all players with 19 points to go with five rebounds and five assists in the Huskies’ win over UMC. He then scored 16 points in a 21-point win over #18 MSUM. Jensen was 6-for-13 from the field and 4-for-5 from the free throw line, while grabbing six rebounds. He also had four assists and steal in the win. Jensen leads the team with 13.7 points a game and 84 total assists on the season.The No. 17 ranked Huskies shot a season-high 61.5 percent from the field in a 68-57 match up with the University of Minnesota, Crookston Friday as junior Theo Rothstein (St. Michael) recorded the Huskies’ third double-double of the year and the first one of his career after grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds. Rothstein also scored 15 points on a 6-for-11 night, while dishing out five assists and recording two steals defensively. Then behind double doubles by sophomores Mike Rostampour (West St. Paul) and Tim Bergstraser (St. Cloud) the Huskies beat No. 18 Minnesota State University Moorhead 77-56 Saturday evening at Halenbeck Hall. SCSU is now 10-0 at home and have 10 double-digit wins this season. Rostampour scored a career high 21 points and grabbed a career high 15 rebounds for his first double-double as a Husky. Bergstraser notched his third double-double of the season with an 11 point, 13 rebound performance.
UPPER IOWA - Upper Iowa climbed up the NSIC leaderboard this weekend with a pair of four-point wins over Augustana, 70-66, and Wayne State, 55-51. UIU point guard Jake Hughes hit a corner triple with two seconds to play to break a tie Friday night against the Vikings and a late 7-2 run on Saturday gave the Peacocks the final separation they needed against the Wildcats. Tucker Wentzien led the Peacocks with 12.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds, while Sam Elgin followed with 12 points per contest and Hughes netted 10.5 points. Upper Iowa will remain at home this week and take on the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University on Friday, Jan. 27, and the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato on Saturday, Jan. 28. Both games are scheduled to tip at 8 p.m. following the women’s games.
WAYNE STATE - Vontrell Seroyer, (G, 5-7, Sr., Milwaukee, Wis.) averaged 13 points and 4.0 assists in two Wildcat road losses over the weekend, accounting for 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in a 61-47 loss at #8 Winona State and added a team-high 15 points with five assists in Saturday’s 55-51 setback at Upper Iowa. For the weekend, Seroyer was 7 of 16 from the field and a perfect 10 for 10 at the free throw stripe.
WINONA STATE - Taylor Cameron (G, 6-5, 190, So., Oshkosh, Wis. / Oshkosh HS) had a productive weekend in all areas of the stat sheet as the No. 8 Warriors earned NSIC victories over Wayne State and Augustna. Cameron began his weekend with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists against Wayne State. Cameron scored nine of WSU’s first 11 points in the second half as the Warriors pulled away. He came back with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists in a victory over Augustana. For the weekend he averaged 14 points per game, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while going 9-of-15 from the field.
WEEK 10 Results
1/20 *SMSU 90 at Minnesota Duluth 94
1/20 *MSU Moorhead 71 at Concordia-St. Paul 84
1/20 *Augustana 66 at Upper Iowa 70
1/20 *Minnesota State 67 at Bemidji State 75
1/20 *Wayne State 47 at Winona State 61
1/20 *Minnesota, Crookston 57 at St. Cloud State 69
1/21 *Minnesota State 89 at Minnesota Duluth 82
1/21 *MSU Moorhead 56 at St. Cloud State 77
1/21 *Minnesota, Crookston 65 at Concordia-St. Paul 82
1/21 *SMSU 56 at Bemidji State 70
1/21 *Augustana 79 at Winona State 85
1/21 *U-Mary 70 at Northern State 69
1/21 *Wayne State 51 at Upper Iowa 55
WEEK 11 Schedule
1/27 Concordia-St. Paul at Augustana 8:00 PM
1/27 Bemidji State at U-Mary 8:00 PM
1/27 SMSU at Upper Iowa 8:00 PM
1/27 Minnesota Duluth at Northern State 8:00 PM
1/27 St. Cloud State at Wayne State 8:00 PM
1/27 Minnesota State at Winona State 8:00 PM
1/28 MSU Moorhead at Minnesota, Crookston 4:00 PM
1/28 St. Cloud State at Augustana 6:00 PM
1/28 Concordia-St. Paul at Wayne State 6:00 PM
1/28 SMSU at Winona State 7:00 PM
1/28 Bemidji State at Northern State 8:00 PM
1/28 Minnesota State at Upper Iowa 8:00 PM
1/28 Minnesota Duluth at U-Mary 8:00 PM
*= NSIC Contest
Past NSIC Players of the Week
11/14/11 - Jake Hottenstine, UMD
11/21/11 - James Ellisor, BSU
11/28/11 - Vontrell Seroyer, WSC
12/05/11 - DJ Hamilton, MSUM
12/12/11 - Clayton Vette, WSU
12/19/11 - Tim Bergstraser, SCSU
01/04/12 - Dustin Tetzlaff, NSU
01/09/12 - Jacolby Anderson, UMC
01/16/12 - Tucker Wentzien, UIU
01/23/12 - James Ellisor, BSU (2)
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