Jan. 24, 2005
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Deng Gai earned the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) player of the week after leading the Fairfield University men's basketball team to a 1-1 record last week.
Gai averaged 15.5 points, five rebounds, and 8.5 blocks per game in a pair of games. He tallied a double double with 18 points and a school-record 13 blocks in an 80-58 win over Siena College. Gai's 13 rejections fell one short of the NCAA Division I single-game record, held by four players which includes Navy's David Robinson.
He enjoyed another solid game with 13 points, five rebounds, and four blocks in the Stags last-second loss to Marist College, 74-72. Gai made three of four three-point attempts against the Red Foxes.
The senior also moved into 19th all-time for career blocked shots with 374 rejections. He is currently tied with Louisville's Pervis Ellison, and could move up to 17th with three blocks in the team's next outing against Canisius College.
Gai currently leads the nation in shot blocking with 5.58 per game, more than 1.5 blocks better than the second-place holder. His 13 blocks also equal the best single-game performance this season, tying Miami's Anthony King who accomplished the task against Florida Atlantic.
The men's basketball returns to action on January 28 when it hosts Canisius College at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Game time is slated for 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Fairfield University athletic ticket office at (203) 254-4103, visiting the Arena box office, or going online at www.ticketmaster.com.
