Townsend, Ater named Mustang Athletes of the Week

The Morrisville State College athletic department has named basketball's Nijah Townsend (Bronx, N.Y.) and Kucjok Ater (Syracuse, N.Y.) it's Mustang Athletes of the Week for the week ending February 5.



Townsend averaged 21.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in three games for the Mustangs in a 1-2 week, including a collegiate best 29 points in the victory over Gallaudet. In that contest Saturday, Townsend added 15 rebounds to lead the Mustangs to the win, while compiling an assist, block and three steals. On Sunday, she posted her 10th double-double of the year, leading Morrisville State with 26 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in the 65-62 loss to Penn State Harrisburg.



Townsend leads Morrisville State in both scoring and rebounding and is ranked in the top 10 in the conference in each.



The sophomore forward is majoring in individual studies at Morrisville State. She is the daughter of Yvette and Desmond Townsend of Bronx.



Ater led Morrisville State to three conference victories last week, posting averages of 18.3 points, 9/7 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 73 percent from the floor (19-for-26) and 81 percent (17-for-21) from the free throw line, keeping the Mustangs undefeated in conference action at 11-0.



Ater exploded over the weekend, posting a game and career-best 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, while grabbing 12 rebounds (eight offensive) and three steals in the 76-67 victory over Gallaudet Saturday.



On Sunday, he posted 21 points and pulled down 11 boards to keep Morrisville State atop the conference in a 77-68 victory over Penn State Harrisburg, handing the Nittany Lions their first conference loss. On the day, Ater hit 6-of-9 from the floor, in addition to 9-of-11 from the free throw line, which included going 4-for-4 in the closing seconds of the contest to seal the win.



Ater is second on the team in points per game (12.7) and leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game for the Mustangs, while shooting a conference best 58.2 percent from the floor.



The sophomore is majoring in individual studies at Morrisville State. He is the son of Persikila Depmac of Syracuse.