Papale, Foreman Sweep Patriot League Weekly Honors
November 23, 2015 | Men's Basketball
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - After helping lead the Boston University men's basketball team to key non-conference wins over South Florida and three-time defending America East champion Albany, senior John Papale and freshman Kyle Foreman have been named the Lids Team Sports Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
The pair of awards marks the second time in program history and first since 1995-96 that BU swept the conference weekly honors. BU Hall of Famer Tunji Awojobi ('97) and the Terriers' No. 3 all-time assist leader LeVar Folk ('99) last accomplished the feat.
Earning his first career conference weekly award, Papale averaged 19.7 points in three games for the Terriers last week and did most of his damage from beyond the arc with a 15-of-27 (56%) clip from three-point range for the week. The Wallingford, Conn., native made 5-of-10 shots, all from three-point range, and came up with big shots late while scoring 21 points to lead the Terriers to a 69-64 comeback win over the Great Danes on Monday. He followed it up with another 21-point effort while shooting 8-of-12 overall and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc in a 90-76 loss at NJIT on Thursday, and made 6-of-11 shots with 5-of-9 from three-point range for 17 points in a 78-66 win at South Florida on Saturday. The sharpshooter currently ranks second nationally in made 3-pointers per game at 4.75.
Starting all four games at the point guard position, Foreman becomes the third Patriot League freshman to open his career with back-to-back Rookie of the Week awards, joining Bucknell's Dan Bowen (1996-97) and Holy Cross' Juan Pegues (1997-98). The Clyde Hill, Wash., native averaged 13.3 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds in the three games for the Terriers. He filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the 69-64 win over Albany on Monday, helping seal the win late with a steal and layup to push the lead to three with 36 seconds to play. He then tallied 17 points, seven assists and four boards in a 90-76 loss at NJIT on Thursday, and finished with eight points and four assists in Saturday's 78-66 win at South Florida. Foreman made 15-of-29 shots (51.7%) for the week and hit 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. He stands tied for second in the Patriot League and in the top 50 nationally with 5.8 assists per game for the year.
Monday's announcement marks three total awards this season in just two weeks for the Terriers, who last season were blanked from any award for the first time in program history despite junior Cedric Hankerson and sophomore Cheddi Mosely both earning All-Conference honors.
BU will next face off against No. 1 Kentucky on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena with the SEC Network broadcast set for 9 p.m.
