KANACEVIC NAMED CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

12/14/2009 7:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY (Dec. 14) - Freshman forward Halil Kanacevic (Staten Island, NY/Curtis HS) was named the Colonial Athletic Association Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week, it was announced today by the league office.

Kanacevic averaged 9.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in helping the Pride (7-3) to a 2-0 week. He came up big with his second career double-double in a narrow 44-39 win over Manhattan on Wednesday, tallying 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. He then added eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks in a 75-58 win over New Hampshire on Saturday, which extended Hofstra's winning streak to four games.

In the Manhattan contest, Kanacevic went on a personal 5-0 run late in the game to help push a two-point Hofstra lead to seven points with 2:20 left. After Manhattan pulled within 36-34, Kanacevic scored on a lay-up, a jump hook in the paint, and a foul shot to make the score 41-34. He then blocked a shot and grabbed a defensive rebound with just under 2:00 left to help the Pride hold on for the win.

Kanacevic also shared the CAA Rookie of the Week honor on Nov. 23 after helping the Pride to a 2-1 week, which included a win over Yale and a narrow defeat to No. 12 Connecticut in the NIT Season Tip-Off. He currently averages 7.7 points and a team-leading 6.9 rebounds on the season, including 12 points and 12 rebounds in Hofstra's season opener at top-ranked Kansas on Nov. 13.

The Pride will next be in action when it travels to Madison Square Garden this weekend for the 2009 Aeropostale Holiday Festival. Hofstra will face St. John's in the second semifinal on Sunday at 2 p.m., while Davidson and Cornell will face each other in the first game at 12 noon. Hofstra has won the last four meetings against St. John's, including the 2006 Holiday Festival championship game, giving the Pride its third all-time championship at the event.

Print Friendly Version