Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University junior guard Jarren Cottingham has been named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference men's basketball Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday morning. Cottingham earns Player of the Week accolades for the second time this season and fourth time in his career.

Cottingham led the Bulldogs to a pair of victories last week, starting with a thrilling double-overtime victory over region foe USC Aiken on Friday, followed by a 21-point SAC victory at UVA Wise on Sunday. The 'Dogs have won seven of their last eight to move to 11-3 overall and 7-3 in league play.

Cottingham was impressive in both games, averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 67 percent from three-point range.

Cottingham started his week by scoring 212 points in the double-overtime win over USC Aiken, going eight-for-13 from the field and two-for-three from deep while adding three rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Cottingham scored 20 points in the 93-72 win at UVA Wise Sunday, going seven-for-15 from the field and four-for-six from beyond the arc, adding seven assists, seven rebounds and a steal in just 28 minutes of action.

A preseason first team All-SAC selection, Cottingham is third in the SAC with 17.4 points per game this season, shooting 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range. He ranks second in the SAC in field goals made, third in free throws made, sixth in free throw percentage and 10th in assists. He has scored at least 20 points seven times this season and 29 times in his career.

The Bulldogs are in the midst of a four-game SAC road trip, traveling to Tusculum Wednesday for a 4 p.m. tip. Wingate is at Coker the following Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., then wraps up the trip at Anderson Saturday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs finally return home Jan. 19 to host Lenoir-Rhyne at 7:30 p.m.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 24 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.