varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Freshman Eric Smith named OCAA Athlete of the Week

North York, Ont. – Freshman forward Eric Smith (Ajax, Ont.) of the Durham College men’s basketball team has been named this week’s OCAA Athlete of the Week.

The Ajax native was a pivotal part in DC's three wins this past week as he averaged 18.3 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, including a 30 point, 17 rebound night in the Lords 95-73 win over Cambrian College. Smith also put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in Durham's 81-77 win over Algonquin College, who had only suffered one loss prior to their match. He has been on quite a roll this season as he has recorded eight double-doubles on the year, including six in his past seven games. He is averaging 17.6 PPG and 10 RPG and with 140 rebounds this season, he is tops in the OCAA.

Smith becomes the third Durham College athlete to win this honour this season, as women's soccer players Katie Watts (Oshawa, Ont.) and Brittany Micucci (Newmarket, Ont.) won the award earlier in September. All recipients can be viewed by visiting www.ocaa.com.

The Lords are in the midst of a seven game conference winning streak and have been perfect at home with a 6-0 record. They are in a tie for first place in the East Region with an 11-3 record, along with Algonquin College and Fleming College with 22 points respectively. The Lords have also soared up the OCAA rankings, as they moved into the sixth position this week, their highest ranking of the season.

Next up, the men’s basketball team will host the Georgian Grizzlies on Friday, January 23 at 8 p.m. The game will be in part of THINK PINK DAY at the CRWC as the women’s basketball team looks to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Society.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS

Conference Record: 11-3
Overall Record: 16-7

Next Home Action:
Friday, January 23 vs. Georgian (8 p.m.) – CRWC
*Think Pink Day

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)