Bowling Green State University Athletics
Lillard, Nocella Named Vito's Athletes of the Week
March 14, 2016 | General, Men's Basketball, Gymnastics
Each week, the Bowling Green State University Athletic Department names the Vito's Athletes of the Week, as selected by the athletic communications department based on their athletic performances from the previous week. This week's winners are men's basketball player Antwon Lillard and gymnast Alyssa Nocella.
Male Athlete of the Week
Antwon Lillard, a freshman from Cleveland, Ohio averaged 17.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over the Falcons' run in the 2016 MAC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament. In the first round win over No. 5 Kent State, Lillard finished with 13 points on 6-of-8 (75 percent) shooting overall and pulled down five rebounds in his first career start as a Falcon. In the Falcons' quarterfinals win over No. 4 Central Michigan in Cleveland, Lillard poured in a career-high 26 points, draining five three-pointers, to lead the Falcons to the win. With 12.3 second left in the contest, Lillard swished a three-pointer from the top of the key to put the Falcons in front at 60-59, before two free throws later in the contest by the Falcons iced the game. In the semifinals contest versus No. 1 Akron, Lillard led BGSU with a team-high 12 points in 35 minutes of play. The Falcons made their first MAC Tournament semifinals appearance since 2009 and as the No. 12 seed became the highest seed to advance to the semifinals in MAC Championship Tournament history.
Female Athlete of the Week
Alyssa Nocella, a senior from Gilbertsville, Pa. notched five wins in two meets this past weekend, earning first place finishes in both all-around competitions and floor exercise competitions, as well as winning vault against Northern Illinois. In BGSU's Thursday night matchup at Illinois State, the senior accounted for two of the three wins at the meet for the Falcons (9.850 floor, 39.000 all-around). Against the Huskies on Senior Night, Nocella made history as she set two new career-highs (9.850 vault, 39.425 all-around), and was a part of two school records. Her 39.425 ranks third in program history. Bowling Green started the meet on vault, where the team recorded a season-high 49.025 and Nocella tabbed a new career-best 9.850. She tied for second on bars, helping her team tie its season-high of 49.050. In the third rotation, Nocella earned a fourth place finish on beam with a 9.825 where the team set a new school record of 49.200. Finishing the night on floor, BGSU set another season-high event score, earning a 49.225. After five gymnasts from the lineup competed, the Falcons had already locked down a new school record, but after Nocella's 9.900 performance in the sixth slot, BGSU bettered its total for a 196.500. She tied for first on the apparatus.
Male Athlete of the Week
Antwon Lillard, a freshman from Cleveland, Ohio averaged 17.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over the Falcons' run in the 2016 MAC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament. In the first round win over No. 5 Kent State, Lillard finished with 13 points on 6-of-8 (75 percent) shooting overall and pulled down five rebounds in his first career start as a Falcon. In the Falcons' quarterfinals win over No. 4 Central Michigan in Cleveland, Lillard poured in a career-high 26 points, draining five three-pointers, to lead the Falcons to the win. With 12.3 second left in the contest, Lillard swished a three-pointer from the top of the key to put the Falcons in front at 60-59, before two free throws later in the contest by the Falcons iced the game. In the semifinals contest versus No. 1 Akron, Lillard led BGSU with a team-high 12 points in 35 minutes of play. The Falcons made their first MAC Tournament semifinals appearance since 2009 and as the No. 12 seed became the highest seed to advance to the semifinals in MAC Championship Tournament history.
Female Athlete of the Week
Alyssa Nocella, a senior from Gilbertsville, Pa. notched five wins in two meets this past weekend, earning first place finishes in both all-around competitions and floor exercise competitions, as well as winning vault against Northern Illinois. In BGSU's Thursday night matchup at Illinois State, the senior accounted for two of the three wins at the meet for the Falcons (9.850 floor, 39.000 all-around). Against the Huskies on Senior Night, Nocella made history as she set two new career-highs (9.850 vault, 39.425 all-around), and was a part of two school records. Her 39.425 ranks third in program history. Bowling Green started the meet on vault, where the team recorded a season-high 49.025 and Nocella tabbed a new career-best 9.850. She tied for second on bars, helping her team tie its season-high of 49.050. In the third rotation, Nocella earned a fourth place finish on beam with a 9.825 where the team set a new school record of 49.200. Finishing the night on floor, BGSU set another season-high event score, earning a 49.225. After five gymnasts from the lineup competed, the Falcons had already locked down a new school record, but after Nocella's 9.900 performance in the sixth slot, BGSU bettered its total for a 196.500. She tied for first on the apparatus.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
/ Gymnastics
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