Schaefer Leads the Way for Broncos En Route to CCAA Player of the Week
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Riley Schaefer was instrumental in directing No. 25 Cal Poly Pomona to two convincing home wins over local rivals, and garnered his first career CCAA Player of the Week distinction for Jan. 6-12.
With fellow fourth-year seniors Justin Young and William Christmas unavailable all weekend and limited due to illness on Saturday, respectively, Schaefer stepped up and averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 32.0 minutes per game to keep his Broncos firmly in the hunt for a third-straight CCAA regular-season crown. He shot a combined 13-of-25 (.520) from the field, including 7-of-11 (.636) from three-point range, and made all eight of his free throw attempts.
A product of Temecula, Schaefer first scored a game-high 20 points in an 89-69 decision over Cal State LA on Thursday night, adding seven boards to share the game high, two assists and two steals. He went 6-of-12 with four triples on six tries.
In Saturday night’s 74-55 defeat of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Schaefer generated his first collegiate double-double with career and game bests of 21 points and 10 rebounds. That 10th board was credited on the defensive end with one second remaining in the game. Schaefer was 7-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-5 from deep, and made all four free ones for the second game in a row. He also collected three assists, one steal and a blocked shot. The point total matched both his career high, and the game high with junior teammate Phoenix Shackelford.
Schaefer is the second Bronco to be honored by the conference with its weekly award, following Christmas’ second career selection on Dec. 10. He now has four efforts of 20 points or more this season, and five as a collegian. Schaefer previously tallied 20 and 21 in back-to-back contests this past November as well. He is second on the team chart in both scoring (14.4) and rebounding (6.3).
With No. 6 UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino also sweeping a pair of games, and Chico State victorious Thursday and idle Saturday, the Broncos (12-3) are now in a three-way tie for second with the Coyotes and Wildcats at 8-2 apiece in league play, one game back of the leading Tritons (15-1, 9-1 CCAA).
They happen to be Cal Poly Pomona’s next opponent, as this Thursday night will feature a showdown between nationally-ranked foes. Tipoff inside RIMAC Arena in La Jolla is slated for 8:02 p.m., with free coverage on ESPN3. The Broncos, winners of four in a row and 10 of their last 11, are then at Cal State San Marcos on Saturday afternoon.
Also nominated:
Marcus Brown, Cal State San Marcos
Andrew Ferguson, Cal State Monterey Bay
Xavier Francois, Stanislaus State
Calvin Geraci, Chico State
Acliese Linton, San Francisco State
Isaiah Pope, Humboldt State
Tyrell Roberts, UC San Diego
Andres Villa, Cal State San Bernardino