UTICA, NY- Freshman Justin Strielkauskas of the Utica College men's basketball team was named the College’s Male Athlete of the Week, Monday, shortly after earning Empire 8 Rookie of the Week honors. Strielkauskas had a break out week for the Pioneers as he registered 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over the course of two games. He also shot 11-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-7 from behind the arc in the stretch.
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Strielkauskas has emerged into a starting role in the last four games for Utica. He posted his first collegiate double-double on Saturday as he netted a career-high 16 points (6-of-10 shooting) and 10 rebounds, to go along with two blocks against Mount Saint Mary. He added 13 points and five rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting (2-of-3 from 3-point range) against Canton earlier in the week. He truly had a breakout week as he headed into the last two contests averaging just 2.2 points per game through his first six collegiate contests.
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He currently ranks fourth on the team with an average of 3.8 rebounds per game and sixth on the team with an average of 5.3 points per game. 29 of his 42 total points this season have come in his last two appearances.
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Utica (0-8) returns to the hardwood on New Year's Eve when the Pioneers host local rival Hamilton College in non-league play at 2 p.m. The Pioneers, who are still in search of their first win of the season, have lost by five points or less in five contests this season.
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