January 14, 2002

Bluffton College junior Derek DeNero, a business major from Mansfield (Crestview High School), has been named the men's basketball Player of the Week in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

DeNero led Bluffton in scoring and rebounding in both games last week as he combined for 46 points and 21 rebounds. He netted a career-high 29 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in Bluffton's 93-90 win over Thomas More College on Wednesday night. He then collected 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals in a 64-61 loss to Transylvania University on Saturday. DeNero converted all 15 of his attempts from the free throw line in the two games.

DeNero's double-double against Thomas More was his fourth of the season. He is averaging 15.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. His scoring total ranks third in the HCAC, while his rebounding total ranks second. He has led Bluffton in rebounding in 10 games this season, and in scoring three times.

DeNero was the Ashland Times Gazette Player of the Year while at Crestview High School, and he earned first team All-Firelands Conference honors.

Bluffton is now 7-9 overall and will face two HCAC opponents on the road this week. The Beavers travel to Defiance College on Wednesday night and to Hanover College on Saturday afternoon.

-BEAVERS-