From the MAAC's weekly release:


MAAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

BILAL BENN, NIAGARA
Senior, Guard/Forward, 6-5, 205, Philadelphia, Pa./Villanova

Benn, a senior guard/forward, recorded a pair of double-doubles, averaged 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game during Niagara's 2-0 conference weekend. He senior tallied a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds in Friday's win over Manhattan. Benn shot 6-of-8 from the floor in the second half of the win, helping to turn a seven-point first half lead into a 24-point win. On Sunday, the swingman recorded his MAAC-best sixth double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Loyola. He added four assists, three 3-pointers, two steals and a block in the all-around effort in the 20-point win.

MAAC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

DEREK NEEDHAM, FAIRFIELD
Freshman, Guard, 5-11, 180, Dalton, Ill./De La Salle Institute

Needham, a freshman guard, was the team's leading scorer with 20.0 points per game as the Stags won two of three games last week. He tallied 20 or more points twice, including a career-best 26 markers in the Hofstra game. Needham was also the team's top scorer in the win against Saint Peter's, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the second half as the Stags overcame a one-point halftime deficit. For the week, he shot 42 percent from three-point range, hitting five three pointers against Hofstra and another five treys versus Saint Peter's. Needham dished off 17 assists against just six turnovers, averaging 5.8 assists per contest.