MAC Commonwealth Player of the Week
Kai Cipalla (York / Sr., F / Lititz, Pa.) has had a fantastic three weeks for the Spartans. Cipalla averaged 24.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in the Spartans five games for the nomination period. He shot 55.6% from the floor, 33.3% from three and 77.1% from the free throw line. He also had 12 assists, four blocked shots and five steals as he averaged 36.5 minutes per game. Cipalla started with a 25 point, seven rebound effort in the overtime loss to Salisbury. He played 40 minutes as he was 8-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-11 from the line to go along with two blocked shots. In the overtime win over #22 Stockton, Cipalla had a career day with 34 points and 12 rebounds. He played 43 minutes and shot 14-for-18 from the line while he was also 6-for-9 from the stripe. In addition to the double-double, Cipalla recorded his 1,000th career point as a Spartan. Against Penn State Harrisburg on December 30, Cipalla had 23 points and six rebounds in the win over the Lions. He was 9-for-15 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the line. He also had a season-high three steals in the victory. Cipalla opened the Stevens Holiday Tournament with 22 points and eight rebounds in the win over the 7-1 Lakers. Cipalla was 7-for-15 from the floor including 3-for-7 from three and 5-for-5 from the line. He tied a career-high with six assists in the win. He closed out the week with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in the loss to Hamilton who improved to 11-1. For the season, Cipalla is averaging a MAC Commonwealth best 21.4 points per game while he is pulling in 6.9 rebounds per game. He is shooting 55.3% from the floor, 30.8% from three and 64.4% from the free throw line. Cipalla is playing 34.4 minutes per game for the Spartans.