ST. LOUIS -- Bradley freshman guard Sam Maniscalco (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick H.S.) has repeated as the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after helping the Braves (11-10, 4-5 MVC) to a pair of wins last week, according to an announcement from the league office this afternoon.
Continuing to serve as Bradley's starting point guard for Daniel Ruffin while the senior All-MVC performer works himself back into game shape, Maniscalco averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game in wins against rival Illinois State (76-75) and at Wichita State (63-54). Although he scored just three points Wednesday versus the Redbirds, Maniscalco dished out six assists and committed only one turnover in his team-high 36 minutes. He followed by making 3-of-5 3-point field goal attempts in his 12-point effort Saturday at Wichita State, where he also dished five assists and committed but one turnover in his 35 minutes.
Maniscalco leads all Valley newcomers by averaging 3.5 assists per game, and as a starter in Ruffin's place for all nine Valley games, he is second among the league's newcomers by averaging 11.6 points per game. While helping the Braves win four of their last five games, Maniscalco has averaged 6.0 assists and 0.8 turnovers during the upswing and he leads the league in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.61) in conference play.
The 6-foot combo guard also is chasing one of Bradley's all-time greats. Maniscalco has made 33 3-point field goals in 21 games this season and is on pace to eclipse Anthony Parker's 1993-94 record of 47 treys by a Bradley freshman. Voted one of the 15 greatest players in Bradley Basketball history during the program's 100-year celebration, Parker was the 1996 MVC Player of the Year and has developed into one of the top 3-point shooters in the NBA in his second season with the Toronto Raptors.
Maniscalco, who also won the award last week, becomes the second player to repeat as Valley Newcomer of the Week, joining Creighton freshman guard P'Allen Stinnet.
The Braves will shoot for their fourth consecutive win Wednesday when they host Indiana State (10-9, 5-4 MVC) in a 7:05 p.m. contest at Carver Arena. Ranging from $8-18, based on location, tickets still remain for Wednesday's game against the Sycamores and may be purchased in person at the Robertson Fieldhouse Box Office, the Carver Arena Box Office or online at www.BradleyBraves.com.
