Dec. 17, 2001
Fairfield, Conn. -- Deng Gai (Sudan) earned his first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week award today, as the conference announced its weekly honors.
Gai received the award after helping Fairfield University post a 75-71 win over previously unbeaten St. Francis College on December 11. The freshman registered his first career double-double in an unconventional way, scoring a team-high 17 points and blocking 10 shots. He nearly completed a triple-double, but his eight rebounds fell two shy of the mark.
The forward should remain among the nation's top five shot blockers once this week's NCAA Division I statistics are released on Tuesday. Gai has 27 blocks in six games, an impressive 4.8 blocks per game. He is one of only two Fairfield players averaging better than 10 points per game, checking into the break with an 11.8 scoring average. He also ranks second among his teammates with 6.3 rebounds per game.
Fairfield University owns a 1-5 overall record this season, under fourth-year head coach Tim O'Toole. The Stags return to action this Saturday with an exhibition game against the Converse All-Stars. The game will be played at Alumni Hall beginning at noon. Fairfield's next game will take place on the road on December 28 against UNC-Wilmington.
