VCU point guard Ace Baldwin was name Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week by the conference for the week of Jan. 30 – Feb. 5.
The A-10 announced the honor in a Feb. 6 press release.
In two games during the week, Baldwin averaged 25.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 18-for-27 from the floor. The Baltimore native was also perfect from the charity stripe on the week, going 11-for-11 in free throw opportunities.
Baldwin’s week began with a Jan. 31 win over Davidson on the road, where he led VCU in points with 14 while dishing out seven assists. He was also responsible for the game’s deciding play, a go-ahead mid-range jumper with 15.8 seconds to go to lift VCU to a 61-59 win at Belk Arena.
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Three nights later, Baldwin scored a career-high 37 points in VCU’s 73-65 win over Saint Louis in a nationally-televised ESPN showcase game. Baldwin’s 37 points are the most by a VCU player since Justin Tillman scored 37 in an overtime home victory against Dayton in February 2018. Only five players in VCU history have ever scored more than Baldwin did on Friday night in a game.
On the road at a sold-out Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Baldwin dominated the crucial contest. He scored 21 second-half points and ended the game shooting 12-for-15 from the floor and 4-for-5 from deep.
On the week, Baldwin tallied nine assists while committing just one turnover, producing an assist-turnover ratio of 9.0.
The honor is Baldwin’s second A-10 Player of the Week award of the season. He was previously honored on Dec. 5 after returning from right wrist surgery. On that week, Baldwin scored a then-career-high 28 points in a home win over Vanderbilt on Nov. 30 and provided 16 points and nine assists in a Dec. 3 road loss to Temple.
On a per game basis, Baldwin leads VCU in points (13.5), assists (5.8) and steals (2.3). Baldwin is second in the conference in assists and steals per game, trailing Yuri Collins and Tre Clark respectively.
VCU’s next game is a home game on Tuesday night against Dayton. VCU defeated Dayton at UD Arena on Jan. 13, 63-62.
Farell is A-10 Rookie of the Week
For the fourth time this season, St. Bonaventure freshman forward Yann Farell has been named Rookie of the Week by the Atlantic 10 conference.
On the week, Farell averaged 14. 5 points per game on 10-for-16 shooting and 7-for-10 from 3-point range.
The Gabon native played a part in the Bonnies’ key victories during the week, beginning with a 66-62 win on the road against Richmond on Feb. 1. He led the team with 18 points, connecting on four 3-pointers and securing four rebounds.
Three nights later, Farell scored 11 points and provided three assists in St. Bonaventure’s 68-59 win over Dayton.
The wins have propelled the Bonnies to a three-game winning streak – the longest currently in the conference. At 7-4, St. Bonaventure sits third in the A-10 standings.
Coincidentally, the Bonnies’ winning streak began against Baldwin’s VCU team, with St. Bonaventure prevailing at the Siegel Center in a 61-58 upset win. Farell, along with Moses Flowers, led the Bonnies with 15 points while connecting on five 3-pointers and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.
In the St. Bonaventure game, Baldwin also scored 15 points, leading VCU. He dished out a game-high six assists, but committed four fouls and was limited for portions of the second half due to foul trouble.
Farell is the first St. Bonaventure player to earn four or more A-10 Rookie of the Week awards since Andrew Nicholson, who earned the honor six times in the 2008-09 season.
St. Bonaventure’s next game is a home game Wednesday night against La Salle.
Featured image from VCU Athletics
