Freshman guard
JOSH LOPEZ (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary’s) has been named the NJCU Men's Athlete of the Week for the first time in his career after averaging 11.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, including a career-high 20 points in the Gothic Knights’ loss to The College of New Jersey on December 2. He was named the
New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for week three of the 2006-07 season.
Lopez shot 85.7 percent (6-of-7 overall) from the field for the week, with all seven shots coming from three-point range. He was a perfect 5-of-5 from the line.
In the first extended playing time of his young career, Lopez scored all 20 of his career-high 20 points in the second half, as NJCU nearly rallied from a 13-point deficit with 1:48 remaining, before losing to TCNJ, 72-70,
Lopez had only scored nine points in his first four collegiate games, and never had more than four in a contest, before the TCNJ game. In 14 minutes, he shot 5-of-6 from the field—all from three-point range—and 5-of-5 from the free throw line, to finish with the game-high 20 points and four rebounds. His only missed shot was a desperation three at the final buzzer.
Lopez subbed into the game for the first time four minutes into the second half, and proceeded to hit three consecutive three-point baskets and converted a free throw, for 10 points in his first 2:51 of action, as NJCU pulled within six, down 46-40 with 12:10 remaining.
Trailing by 13 with 1:48 left, Lopez knocked down his fourth three of the game at 1:22. He was fouled on the play and cut the TCNJ lead to 67-61. He later provided an assist on a three-pointer which shaved NJCU’s deficit to 69-64 with 1:06 left.
With 18 seconds remaining, Lopez fired up a long three from well beyond NBA range. The shot rang off the back iron, sailed 10 feet over the basket, and fell through, and NJCU had clawed to within 71-70, before being unable to tie it.
In the first game of the week—an 81-70 victory at John Jay College on November 27—Lopez scored three points in two minutes, making a trey on his only shot of the game. He did not play in NJCU’s 92-84 road loss to No. 11 Lincoln University (Pa.).
Lopez ranks tied for third in the NJAC in three-point field goal percentage (.500, 6-of-12). On the season, he is seventh on the Knights in scoring (5.8), while shooting 47.1 percent from the field (8-17) and 50.0 percent from three-point range. He is also shooting 77.8 percent from the free throw line (7-9), and has contributed 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He is tied for the team lead in assist to turnover ratio (1.7) and lists third in threes made (6).
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
