Matt Lopez was named MAAC Player of the Week. (Gregg Slaboda Photo)

Rider head coach Kevin Baggett was prophetic when he declared Sunday afternoon that Matt Lopez would be the Player of the Week in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Lopez made the decision easy when the league announced the award on Monday.

The 7-foot senior averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds over three games as the Broncs went 2-1, scoring a pair of overtime wins to close out the week.

Over the last two games — both Bronc victories — Lopez averaged 23.5 points and 14.5 rebounds.

He had 20 points and 19 rebounds against Fairfield then topped that with a career-high 27 to go with 10 boards in Sunday’s triumph over Manhattan.

Lopez leads Rider in scoring (12.8) and rebounding (7.9) and tops the MAAC in field goal percentage (61.1).

“He’s been the MVP of this team,” Baggett said. “We rely on him a great deal. He’s certainly a first team all-conference (player). Look at what he’s done for us. Look at what we’re doing with him.”

The Broncs are 16-9 overall and 10-4 in the league, good for sole possession of second place with six games remaining.