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News Nuggets, 02.28.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

ECU's Smith captures C-USA hitting honor

East Carolina catcher Jake Smith was named Conference USA Hitter-of-the-Week by the league office on Monday.

The recognition marks the first player of the week award this season for an ECU player.

Smith is the first Pirate to be named hitter of the week since Ryan Jones earned the recognition May 3, 2004.

A senior from Greensboro, Smith led the Pirates to three victories last week, batting 8-for-18 (.444) with two doubles, a home run and 10 RBI's. He hit safely in each game and drove in all of his 10 runs during ECU’s three wins.

Smith opened the week by going 3-for-6 against Duke with two doubles, a career-high five RBI's and three runs scored. He went 5-for-12 during the Keith LeClair Classic, hitting his second homer of the season while collecting four RBI's in a 3-for-5 performance against UNC-Wilmington.

On the year, Smith is second on the team with a .375 average. He leads the Pirates in most offensive categories, including homers (2), RBI's (14), doubles (3), hits (15), total bases (24) and slugging percentage (.600).

In addition to his success at the plate, Smith has gunned down eight attempted base-stealers through the Pirates’ first 10 games.

From an ECU Athletics release.

Cravens forced out as Wildcats hoops coach

Weber State University announced Monday that Joe Cravens has been released from his duties as head basketball coach following back-to-back losing seasons.

The announcement comes just days after the team lost its final four games to finish with a 10-17 overall record and last in the Big Sky Conference at 4-10.

The Wildcats failed to qualify for the conference tournament for the first time since 1981. The number of wins was the fourth-lowest total in the program’s history.

MRI brings positive news for 'Nova star

Villanova senior guard Allan Ray underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed he suffered a mild sprain of his left knee in Sunday's 89-75 loss to Connecticut.

Officially listed as day-to-day, Ray is questionable for Wednesday evening's final regular season home game against St. John's at the Pavilion.

"When I saw (athletic trainer) Jeff (Pierce) walk into the office with an x-ray, I was preparing myself for the worst," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "But this turned out to be great news."

"It was a big relief," stated Ray.

Ray was injured in a fall late in the second half of Sunday afternoon's game at Connecticut. He is second to Randy Foye in scoring (18.9 ppg) among the Wildcats, who enter play against the Red Storm with a record of 22-3 overall, 12-2 in the Big East.

C-USA Basketball Standings, Scores & Schedule

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:45 PM