BOSTON – Vermont guard Ben Shungu has been named America East Player of the Week after posting a league-high 23-point scoring average to open the season. The conference made the announcement on Monday.
 
RELATED LINKS
America East Release
 
Shungu opened the season with a 19-point performance on Thursday (Nov. 11) at Northern Iowa. The graduate student made Vermont's first basket of the season in a wire-to-wire 71-57 victory over the Panthers. Shungu went on to make 6-of-11 attempts from the floor and hit 3-of-7 attempts from long range.
 
Two days later, Shungu registered a career-high 27 points at No. 21 Maryland. The South Burlington native made 10-of-18 attempts from the floor and drilled a career-high four three pointers on six attempts. Shungu tallied 20 of his points in the first half against the nationally-ranked Terrapins.
 
Defensively, Shungu recorded five steals in the two games played, which ranks second in America East. The UVM guard also scooped up 5.5 rebounds per game.
 
Shungu paces the league in scoring average, total points (46), and three-point percentage (53.8%). Shungu is tied for the league lead in field goals (16), three-point field goals (7), and has the third-highest field goal percentage (55.2%).
 
Vermont men's basketball is back on campus for the home opener on Tuesday (Nov. 16) against Worcester Polytechnic at Patrick Gym. The opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets. Tuesday's game will broadcast live on ESPN3. Fans can listen for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.  
 
Tuesday's home opener is Military Appreciation Night, presented by Milton CAT and to benefit the Josh Pallotta Fund. The Catamounts will be wearing camouflage jerseys, which will be auctioned off at http://uvmathletics.com/auctions. All military personnel will receive a complimentary ticket for the game with a valid military ID.  A special group rate of $10 per ticket is available for all military family members.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball