LIGHT, ROHRER ARE DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Contact Jeff Bernstein
jeffrey.bernstein@nyu.edu
(212) 998-2031

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Sam Light of Lebanon Valley College (Annville, Pa.) and Alecia Rohrer of Messiah College (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending January 7.

Light, a 6-0 senior guard from Jonestown, Pa., averaged 28.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last week as the Dutchmen (11-4, 5-1) won both of its Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth matchups against then-undefeated (in conference) opponents. On Wednesday against then-No. 6 (D3hoops.com) Lycoming, Light scored 27 points (7-of-15 FG, 7-of-9 FT, 6-of-12 3FG) and added five rebounds, an assist and two steals in Lebanon Valleys (receiving votes · D3hoops.com) 81-71 victory. Then, in a 78-70 win over Albright (receiving votes · D3hoops.com) on Saturday, Light posted a double-double with 30 points (10-of-17 FG, 7-of-8 FT, 3-of-4 3FG) and 10 rebounds, while also totaling two assists and three steals. For the week, he shot 53.1 percent (17-of-31) from the field, 82.3 percent (14-of-17) from the line and 56.2 percent (9-of-16) from three-point range. For his effort, Light was also named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Week.

Rohrer, a 6-2 junior forward from Manheim, Pa., averaged a double-double of 19 points and 17.5 rebounds despite playing only 30 minutes per game last week for No. 19 (D3hoops.com) Messiah (13-1, 5-0) in a pair of victories over their Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth opponents. In a 67-49 victory over Stevenson on Wednesday, Rohrer totaled 17 points (7-of-14 FG, 3-of-5 FT), 17 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 29 minutes. Then, in a 59-45 win over Widener on Saturday, she scored 21 points (10-of-17 FG, 1-1 FT) and added a career-high 18 rebounds while adding an assist, a steal, and two blocks in 31 minutes. For the week, Rohrer shot 54.8 percent (17-of-31 FG) from the field and 66.7 percent (4-of-6) from the foul line. For her efforts, Rohrer was also named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Week.

Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the fourth season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.