XU's Erves wins his 4th GCAC Player of the Week award

DENZELL ERVES

NEW ORLEANS — For the first time this season and the fourth time in his career, Xavier University of Louisiana's Denzell Erves has been chosen Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Erves, a 6-foot-7 senior forward from Vicksburg, Miss., and a graduate of Vicksburg High School, won the award for Nov. 19-25 after averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds and shooting 71.4 percent from the floor and 76.9 percent from the line in three games. He produced double-doubles against William Carey and Concordia (Ala.), giving him six in 10 games this season.

 Erves scored a season-high 21 points Saturday (8-of-9 field goals) in a victory against Wiley at the Memphis (Tenn.) HBCU Classic. Xavier was 2-0 in that event and earned back-to-back victories on a neutral court for the first time since November 2004.

Erves won the GCAC player award three times in 2011-12. He is the Gold Rush's second honoree this season — senior guard Wanto Joseph earned the honor for Nov. 5-11.

Through 10 games, Erves is averaging 14.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots and is shooting 53.5 percent from the floor and 72.5 percent from the line. He ranks 10th in NAIA Division I in rebounds per game and 12th in blocks per game.
    
Xavier, 9-1 and ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, will play city rival Loyola next Wednesday (Dec. 5) at 7:30 p.m. at XU's new Convocation Center.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA