Fairfield University's Tyler Nelson Named MAAC Rookie of the Week

Fairfield University freshman guard Tyler Nelson (Bradford, Mass.) earned the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week award after averaging 14 points per game in the three-game Coaches vs. Cancer Classic last weekend.

Nelson scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Fairfield men’s basketball team to an 80-72 overtime win over South Dakota, the final game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. He was the Stags’ overall leading scorer in the three-game tournament, netting 42 points. He shot 65 percent from the floor in the three games (13 of 20) and 62 percent from three-point range (8 of 13). Nelson was perfect from the free throw line by making all eight attempts.

On the season, Nelson ranks second among his teammates with 11.3 points per game, one of two Fairfield student-athletes scoring in double figures through five games. He has appeared in four of the team’s five games so far, earning his first collegiate start against South Dakota. He logged 41 minutes in the overtime victory against the Coyotes, averaging 22 minutes per contest. Nelson is the leading scorer among all newcomers on the 2014-15 Stags roster.

The Fairfield University men’s basketball team, under fourth-year Head Coach Sydney Johnson, owns a 2-3 overall record. The Stags will return to action against Northeastern University on November 29. Game time is 1 pm. Fairfield plays its next home game on December 1 when it hosts Bucknell at Webster Bank Arena. The game will tip off at 7 pm. For tickets to the Bucknell game and all Fairfield University basketball contests, please visit the Webster Bank Arena box office or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.