ONU's Edwards, TCC's Cilladi Gain Men's Basketball Weekly Recognition
CHICAGO --- Olivet Nazarene University's Eli Edwards (Kokomo, Ind.) continued his red-hot scoring pace, while Trinity Christian College's Aiden Cilladi (Oviedo, Fla.) just missed going 2-for-2 on double-doubles leading to the pair being named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Players of the Week for the seven-day period ending Jan. 12. The league office made the announcement on Tuesday morning.
Edwards authored a career-high scoring game and a 30.5 scoring average for the week to land his fifth CCAC Offensive Player of the Week award. The senior forward/center's other averages over his two games played included 9.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest. He also shot 67.6 percent from the field (23-of-34).
Edwards delivered his personal-best scoring mark of 34 points in an 82-77 victory over St. Ambrose University last Wednesday. He converted 14 of his 19 shots from the field (73.7 pct.), including a pair of three-pointers in as many attempts, to produce the effort.
Edwards also authored a double-double in the contest – his seventh of the season – courtesy of his 11 rebounds. He recorded seven assists and one steal, as well.
Three days later, Edwards hit nine of his 15 shots from the field and 9-of-10 at the free throw line to net 27 points in a 70-65 road win at Indiana University Northwest. His other statistics on Saturday included seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Edwards leads the league in scoring at 23.1 points per game, which also places him tied for the No. 10 spot nationally.
Olivet Nazarene remained unbeaten in league play (8-0) with the win. Overall, the Tigers are 12-4.
Cilladi earned the league's defensive honors thanks to 17 defensive rebounds (8.5 avg.) in a pair of Trinity Christian victories. The sophomore guard/forward fell one rebound short of producing a pair of double-doubles. He did so in a 106-97 win over Saint Xavier University on Saturday when he totaled 10 rebounds (nine defensive), 11 points and three assists. In that same game, he went 3-for-3 from long distance.
Last Wednesday, Cilladi put up nine rebounds (eight on defense), 10 points, one assist and one block in an 83-75 decision over Governors State University.
Trinity Christian got back even at 8-8 overall with the pair of wins. In the league, the Trolls are 5-3.
Other Offensive Nominees: Brandon Adorno (Trinity Christian), Ladaion Barnes (Indiana Northwest), Bronson Bartuch (Judson), Quindarius Davis (Calumet St. Joseph), Joey Garwood (Holy Cross), Maxwell Marius (Governors State), Landon Thousand (Viterbo), Collin Wainscott (St. Ambrose), Mark White (Indiana South Bend), Mekhi Wilson (Saint Xavier).
Other Defensive Nominees: Jerry Abushanab (Saint Xavier), Vincent Mayes (Governors State), Kyrin Dock (Calumet St. Joseph), Amarion Johnson (Indiana Northwest), Kyle Millender (Indiana South Bend), EJ Reese (Judson), Callaghan Weatherspoon (Holy Cross).