HUTCHINSON AND MANNING SWEEP WEEKLY ECC MEN’S BASKETBALL HONORS

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2009) - On Monday, sophomore forward Brian Hutchinson (Elmont, N.Y.) and freshman guard Chris Manning (Queens, N.Y.) were named the player and rookie of the week, respectively, by the East Coast Conference. This marks the first award for Hutchinson in 2008-09, while Manning took home his fifth accolade from the league.

In the two games, Hutchinson averaged 18.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He also shot 12-for-18 (66.0 percent) from the field and charity stripe in addition to dishing out seven assists. On Thursday, Hutchinson notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lift Molloy to a 75-64 victory versus St. Thomas Aquinas College. Two days later, he raked 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists in an 86-61 win over Mercy College.

For the year, Hutchinson is averaging 13.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 41.6 percent (82-for-197) from the floor. Moreover, Hutchinson has passed 39 assists and rejected eight blocks. He is also positioned 16th in the country in rebounds per game (10.1).

As for Manning, he collected 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He was also 5-of-12 (41.0 percent) from inside the arc, 2-of-4 (50.0 percent) from long distance and 4-of-9 (44.4 percent) from the free-throw line. Additionally, Manning posted a team-best 13 assists and nine steals. Against the Spartans, he registered eight points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. Versus the Mavericks, Manning had eight points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.

In 2008-09, Manning is averaging 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He has also handed off 79 assists and taken away 72 steals - both of which head the Lions. In addition, Manning is ranked second amongst the nation in steals per game (3.7) and 119th in assists per game (3.9).

Head Coach Charlie Marquardt and his squad return to action tomorrow when they take on ECC foe Concordia College at Quealy Gymnasium in Rockville Centre, N.Y. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend, you can view all of the game's progress via Live Stats at http://livestats.prestosports.com/molloy or through a video stream at http://www.eccsports.org.