GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced that Parkside senior forward Colin O'Rourke has been recognized with GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors while Lake Superior State junior guard Tyson Edmondson was honored as GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week following Week 12 of the 2023-24 men's basketball season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Colin O'Rourke, Parkside
In a historical weekend for Colin O’Rourke, it was topped off with GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The weekend was full of bright moments as Parkside swept the weekend. O’Rourke also reached the 1,000-point mark for his career, he also netted a career high in the win against Saginaw Valley State. O’Rourke began the weekend with his fourth 20-point performance of the season against Wayne State. O’Rourke established his presence inside, shooting 46% from the field and collecting eight of his points from the free throw line. His big performance led Parkside to 89-81 victory. On Saturday, O’Rourke scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half, as Parkside came back from a 15-point deficit to take down Saginaw Valley State. O’Rourke shot a brilliant 56% from the field, he knocked down three triples, and scored his 1,000th point with a minute to go in the game. Not only did Colin reach that milestone, but it was the best scoring game in his rich career. As it stands today, O’Rourke is the leading scorer on Parkside with 15.1 points per game. O’Rourke and Parkside returned to action on Thursday to take on Northern Michigan on the road.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tyson Edmondson, Lake Superior State
Tyson Edmondson played a pivotal role in helping the Lakers to a 2-0 record on the week, including a 74-68 over the Northern Michigan Wildcats to hand them their first conference loss of the season and end their 13-game winning streak. Edmondson was a pesky defender, coming away with a four-steal performance against Michigan Tech on Thursday with three of his steals resulting in fast-break points on the other end. He twice intercepted the passing lanes to take it all the way to the basket himself while another one of his takeaways resulted in a dunk by Kingsley Perkins (Ypsilanti, Mich.) with Edmondson picking up an assist on the play with a leak out pass. This marks Edmondson’s first GLIAC weekly honors of the season.
HONORABLE MENTION
