Bucknell University Athletics
Mike Muscala Repeats as Bison Athlete of the Week
12/10/2012 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Senior men's basketball standout Mike Muscala (Roseville, Minn./Roseville) has earned his second straight Bison Athlete of the Week honor in recognition of his 27-point game in last week's 76-60 victory over Kent State. Muscala racked up 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting in that game, helping lift the Bison to an 8-1 start heading into the final exam break.
Muscala has been on a tear of late. The 27-point game against the Golden Flashes came on the heels of a 29-point, 19-rebound effort in a road win over Columbia. Muscala is now averaging 18.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists per game - all team highs.
Muscala currently leads the Patriot League and ranks sixth nationally in rebounding. He also leads the conference in blocks and ranks third in scoring and field-goal percentage (.551). Muscala and Duke's Mason Plumlee are the only two Division I players averaging at least 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
In that win over traditional Mid-American Conference frontrunner Kent State, Muscala added six rebounds, three assists and two blocks to go with his 27 points. All three of his assists were passes out of double-teams that led to a made 3-pointer. Bucknell's lead was just six at 57-51 with seven minutes to play, but on three straight possessions Muscala spun baseline for a reverse layup, knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, and drove the lane for 3-point play. The eight points in 65 seconds pushed the lead to 65-51, and the Bison led by double digits the rest of the way.
Also in that game Muscala moved into third place on the Patriot League's career blocked shots list with 211. He now has 1,568 career points, nine behind Kevin Bettencourt for fourth on Bucknell's career scoring chart.
The Bison have won eight of their first nine games in a season for just the third time since 1940. The schedule resumes this Saturday, when 6-1 La Salle visits Sojka Pavilion for a 7 p.m. tip.
