Feb. 4, 2013

Newport News, Va. - Fordham University freshman guard Mandell Thomas (Rochester, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week it was announced by the conference office today. The honor is the first weekly award for a Fordham player this year and the first Rookie of the Week award for a Ram since Bryan Smith earned the honor last January.

In two games this week, Thomas averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg while also recording two assists and two steals.

In the first game of the week, Thomas tied his season-high with 17 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field - including 3-for-4 from behind the arc, and he grabbed six rebounds in a 66-62 loss to Saint Joseph's in the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night.

On Saturday night, Thomas finished with 16 points and a season-best nine rebounds in an 81-65 loss at VCU.

On the year, Thomas is averaging 7.5 ppg and 3.0 ppg in 22 games while in Atlantic 10 play he is averaging 12.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg.

Fordham returns to action on Wednesday night, February 6, as they host the Saint Louis University Billikens in an Atlantic 10 contest in the Rose Hill Gym at 8:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network.