LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Basketball freshman
Gavin Doty has put a bow on an outstanding weekend performance against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leaders by securing weekly acclaim. The Fulton, New York native has been proclaimed the Hercules Tires MAAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.
Doty averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals while shooting 56% from the field to help Siena secure a hard-fought split with MAAC co-leaders Marist and Quinnipiac over the weekend.
On Friday, Doty tied for the game-high lead with 19 points on 7-11 shooting while adding eight rebounds, as the Saints battled the Red Foxes to a five-point finish in a primetime nationally televised broadcast in front of a hostile, sold-out environment in Poughkeepsie.
Doty, who seemed highly questionable to play Sunday after suffering what appeared to be a severe injury only 39 hours earlier, pulled off his best Willis Reed impersonation to lead Siena past Quinnipiac at MVP Arena. The freshman poured in his second straight 19-point performance, while adding six rebounds and a season-high four steals as the Saints rallied from a 13-point second half deficit to defeat the reigning MAAC Regular Season Champions and preseason favorites. Doty keyed a decisive 26-5 second half run, scoring a team-high 10 of his points during the rally.
Doty, who was also previously named MAAC Rookie of the Week for the first time this season on Jan. 6, has been nothing short of a revelation over the past month. After averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds spanning his first 10 collegiate contests, he has averaged 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds while adding his first three career double-doubles over the past 12 games.
Overall, Doty is averaging 8.7 points and a team-high 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field while appearing in all 22 games (seven starts) to date this season.
Doty and the Saints return to action when they host defending MAAC Tournament Champion Saint Peter's in the annual Gold Rush game Thursday at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena.
