Coppola becomes first Wheaton freshman named NEWMAC Player of the Week

January 7, 2008

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College men's basketball standout Anthony Coppola (Watertown, MA/Watertown) was selected New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Week for the week ending on Sunday, January 6. Coppola became the first Wheaton freshman in the 10-year history of the league to earn the honor.

Coppola led the Lyons to a 3-0 record since the first semester ended, averaging 26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 59.1 percent (13-22) on three-point tries and 56.3 percent (27-48) from the field. For his two-game performance at the Cactus Jam Hoop Classic in Phoenix, he was named to the all-tournament team.

Recording his first career double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds against Kean University on December 28, Coppola shot 9-of-15 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from three-point territory. He netted 34 points the next day versus Pacific Lutheran University, the most by a Lyon freshman since the program's first season in 1989-90, canning a program freshman-record seven threes on eight tries and collecting three steals.

At Fitchburg State College on Saturday, Coppola shot 6-of-13 while recording 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. Scoring at least 20 points in each of his last three games and four times overall, Coppola has led the team in scoring on eight occasions, with the Lyons winning each time.

Among the NEWMAC leaders in several statistical categories, Coppola leads the way in three-pointers made per game and is second in scoring. He also ranks fourth in the league in three-point field goal percentage, eighth in field goal percentage and 11th in steals.

Wheaton is 9-1 for the first time since 2002-03, owning a six-game winning streak for the initial time in three seasons. The Lyons, who have experienced most of their success away from Emerson Gymnasium, conclude their five-game road swing on Wednesday during their NEWMAC opener at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at 8:00 p.m.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 1/7/08.
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