Scoochie Smith named A-10 player of week

Senior guard averaged 19 points in two victories

For the first time this season, a Dayton Flyers player won the Atlantic 10 Player of the week award.

Senior guard Scoochie Smith earned the honor Monday. He averaged 19 points in victories over St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island last week.

“The one thing Scoochie has done for us is play like the best player on the floor, the most experienced guy on the floor,” said Dayton coach Archie Miller on Monday on the A-10 coaches teleconference. “He makes decisions and plays for us. Last week, with Charles (Cooke) being out, I thought guys had a heightened awareness that htey were going to have to play well and solid, and I thought he was a big reason why we were 2-0.”

ARCHDEACON: Scoochie living up to his nickname

Smith had 17 points and four assists in 34 minutes Tuesday in a 90-74 victory at St. Bonaventure. He scored 21 points Friday in a 67-64 victory over Rhode Island at UD Arena. He had six assists and one turnover in 38 minutes.

Smith is averaging 13.9 points and 4.0 assists. He’s shooting 45.6 percent (72 of 158) from the field, 34.7 percent (25 of 72) from 3-point range and 70.2 percent from the free-throw line (40 of 57).

Smith moved into 40th place on UD’s career scoring list last week. He passed Coby Turner (1,025, 1995-99), Jordan Sibert (1,030, 2013-15), Dave Colbert (1,049, 1984-86) and Monty Scott (1,054, 2003-07). Smith has 1,056 points. He’s three behind Bobby Joe Hooper (1965-68) and five behind Derrick Dukes (1990-94).

The Flyers (12-3, 3-0) have won five games in a row. They play at Massachusetts at 7 p.m. Wednesday and at Duquesne at noon Saturday.

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