St. John's University Athletics
LoVett and Ahmed Collect BIG EAST Weekly Honors
2/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's guard Marcus LoVett was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Monday after averaging 20.0 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 steals last week against Marquette and No. 4/4 Villanova. Red Storm junior Bashir Ahmed was also recognized by the conference with his selection to the weekly Honor Roll after posting 19.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in two starts.
LoVett delivered back-to-back double-figure scoring performances last week beginning with a 17-point effort in St. John's 14-point victory over Marquette on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. The 6-foot guard from Fort Wayne, Ind. shot 6-of-9 from the field against the Golden Eagles and dished out five assists in 34 minutes of action. Then on Saturday, LoVett recorded 23 points, six assists and four steals at No. 4/4 Villanova.
During last week's two game stretch, LoVett shot 57.7 percent (15-26 FG) from the field, 41.7 percent (5-12 3FG) from 3-point range and 83.3 percent (5-6 FT) at the free-throw line.
LoVett has scored double-figures in 20 of 22 appearances this season and has nine 20-point performances. The rookie is tied for fifth in the BIG EAST with backcourt mate Shamorie Ponds averaging 17.2 points per game this season. LoVett also has the fifth highest assist average in the conference dishing out 3.8 per game.
For the second time this season, Ahmed earned a spot on the Honor Roll after pair of double-figure scoring efforts. The junior from the Bronx poured in a career-high 23 points shooting 8-of-17 from the field on Wednesday to help lead St. John's past Marquette. Ahmed drained two 3-pointers in the contest, shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the line and pulled down six boards.
Ahmed reached double-figures for the ninth-straight game on Saturday with a 15-point performance at Villanova. He shot 7-of-17 from the field and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds against the Wildcats.
One of only two Johnnies to start all 25 games this season, Ahmed has averaged 13.2 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds per contest. His 44 3-pointers are the third-most on the team, trailing Ponds (62) and LoVett (45).
St. John's returns to action on Saturday when the Johnnies host Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden. Tip off is set for noon at "The World's Most Famous Arena."
