Spartan Named Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

AURORA, Ill. February 15, 2005 - The Aurora University men’s basketball team received top conference honors as freshman forward Larry Welton (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) was named the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference men’s basketball Player of the Week by the conference’s sports information directors for the third time this season.

For the week, in which the #24 ranked Spartans regained possession of first place in the NIIC, Welton led AU to a 3-0 record with wins over Clarke College (87-63), Dominican University (79-53), and Concordia University (83-68). Welton continued his offensive prowess, averaging 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and shot 48.9 percent from the field (23 of 47). In the 87-63 dismantling of Clarke, Welton tallied his fifth double-double of the year with a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Welton has scored in double figures in 22 of the 23 AU contests, while tallying 20 or more points 12 times. Welton and the Spartans are winners in five straight games and 14 of the last 15. Welton is averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 53.8 percent from the field (186-346) and 35.3 percent from three-point range (18-51).

Welton and the Spartan men are in action next on Wednesday, February 16, when they host the Red Devils of Eureka College in Thornton Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. The Spartans are 19-4 this season, 9-1 in the NIIC, and are currently on a five-game win streak. They have won 17 of their last 19 contests and, since the 2000-2001 season, AU is 51-4 in home contests.

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