Jan. 31, 2005

MACON, GA - For the third time this season, Florida Atlantic University's Mike Bell has been named Atlantic Sun Conference Player-of-the-Week. The conference made the announcement Monday afternoon as Bell becomes the first player in the A-Sun to receive the honor more than twice this year. Bell is the A-Sun's leading scorer and rebounder and helped lead FAU to a pair of victories last week with an average of 23.0 points and 12.0 rebounds.

His efforts started January 25 in FAU's 76-68 win at Belmont when he led FAU with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He followed that up with 22 points and 14 rebounds in the Owls' 84-67 victory over Lipscomb on Saturday.

Bell is averaging 19.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and has posted nine double-doubles. He has five double-doubles in his last six games and has scored 15 or more points in 17 straight contests. His 850 points in two years as an Owl rank eighth in FAU history.

The honor is the fifth in Bell's career. The Raleigh, NC, native was selected as the A-Sun's Preseason Player-of-the-Year.

Florida Atlantic (6-13, 6-6 A-Sun) has won two straight and three of its past four games. The Owls host Belmont Monday night before taking on Troy February 6 in Troy, AL.