Mike Muscala Named PL Player of Week, Bison Athlete of Week After Huge Game at Columbia

Senior Center had 29 Points, 19 Rebounds in Comeback Victory

Mike Muscala

Dec. 3, 2012

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Mike Muscala(Roseville, Minn./Roseville) already has a long list of memorable games for the Bison men's basketball team, and his 29-point, 19-rebound effort in Saturday's come-from-behind victory at Columbia has to go near the top of the list. In recognition of that performance, along with a 17-point, 11-rebound game against Dartmouth earlier in the week, Muscala earned Patriot League Player of the Week and Bison Athlete of the Week honors on Monday.

Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis also selected Muscala as his "Under the Radar Player of the Week."

On Saturday night at raucous Levien Gym in New York City, Bucknell spotted Columbia an early 17-point lead before storming back to win 65-57 to improve to 7-1 on the season. Muscala led the comeback, producing 19 points and 11 rebounds in the second half alone. His 19-foot jumper with 3:35 remaining gave Bucknell the lead for good at 56-55, and he helped seal the win with four free throws in the final minutes.

Muscala's 19 rebounds were the most by a Bucknell player since Eric Hegedus pulled down 20 against Delaware on Feb. 16, 1985. Those are the two highest rebounding totals by a Bison in the last 36 years. It is also the fifth-highest rebounding figure by any Division I player this season.

Muscala is now averaging 17.8 points and a league-high 12.1 rebounds per game. His rebounding figure ranks fourth nationally, and Muscala is the only Division I player currently averaging at least 15 points and 12 rebounds per game.

With the two double-doubles last week, Muscala now has six in eight games this season and 30 in his career. His six double-doubles rank No. 2 nationally, one behind leader O.D. Anosike of Siena.

After Saturday's performance, Muscala moved all the way up from eighth to fifth on Bucknell's career scoring chart with 1,541 points. Next on the list is Kevin Bettencourt, who scored 1,577 points from 2002-06.

Muscala also grabbed his 800th career rebound on Saturday. He joins former Colgate star Adonal Foyle as the only Patriot League players ever to record 1,500 points and 800 rebounds. Muscala and Hall-of-Famers Bob Barry and Mike Bright are the only two Bucknell players to accomplish that feat.

Muscala earned Patriot League Player of the Week honors for the second time this season and sixth time in his career.

The Bison, who have won seven of their first eight games for just the fourth time since 1940, will be back in action on Tuesday at home against Kent State at 7 p.m. It will be the Purdy Insurance "Feed the Fan" night, with free pizza given away at halftime, and one lucky fan will be able to participate in the BJ's $10,000 shot contest.