Kele Mkpado Earns SCIAC Defensive Player of the Week Award

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Senior forward Kele Mkpado was named the SCIAC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week for games through Sunday, Dec. 22, the league office announced today.

Mkpado earned the honor for his role in a 67-66 comeback win over the University of Chicago on Friday night in the only game of the week for the Stags. In just 17 minutes off the bench, Mkpado finished with a new career high with four blocked shots, one of which came with just over two minutes remaining in regulation and CMS trailing by two points, helping to kill a late Maroon possession.

During a pivotal three-minute stretch, Mkapdo was on the floor as CMS was able to use its defense to come back from a 61-53 deficit with just under five minutes remaining to tie the score at 62-62 with 1:30 left. The Stags then earned the one-point win in the closing seconds on a layup from junior guard Mitchell Kirsch to prevail 67-66. 

The defensive effort was the latest big performance from Mkpado, who has stepped up his senior year to become a big part of the CMS rotation. He also had a big day with 14 points and seven rebounds in a win over George Fox at the Whitworth Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 9, setting career highs in those categories  

The Stags will be back in action for two non-conference games before the new year, taking on Gustavus Adolphus on Sunday at 6 p.m. and Lake Forest on Monday at 7 p.m.