Sophomore Mike Rodriguez (Boston, MA/Redemption Christian Academy) carried the Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team to a 3-0 record last week, averaging 24.0 points and 8.0 assists a game. For his efforts, Rodriguez was awarded the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Division I Player of the Week honor for the third time this year.
Despite snapping his streak of 14 consecutive games of at least 20 points dating back to the 2013-14 season, Rodriguez was still able to lead the Tigers in scoring. The sophomore scored 27 points against North Iowa Area Community College on Monday, 19 against Carl Sandburg College on Friday, and 26 more against Dodge City Community College on Saturday. Rodriguez shot 50 percent (26-52) on the week.
In the 90-70 win over NIACC, Rodriguez grabbed four steals, four rebounds, and dished out six assists. At the PCS Classic on Friday, Rodriguez tallied seven assists to just two turnovers in a come-from-behind 85-73 victory over the Chargers. The sophomore nearly produced a triple double in the team's final game at the PCS Classic as Rodriguez registered 11 assists and a team-high eight rebounds as MCC dropped Dodge City 82-69.
As of Tuesday, Rodriguez ranks in the top five in the nation in points per game, total points, free throws made, free throws attempted, field goals made, and field goals attempted.
The Tigers will put their four game win streak on the line against 10-1 Southwestern Community College as part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team on Wednesday night. The women tip off at 5:00 PM while the men are scheduled for 7:00 PM.
