ATLANTA, Ga. –  Paine's Yusef Riley earned the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men's Basketball Player of the Week honor and Brandon Morris (Benedict College) was selected as the Newcomer of the Week, released on Jan. 17 by the league office.

Riley, a 6'5 senior forward from Hamilton, Bermuda averaged 15 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last week for the Lions (1-13 overall, 0-8 SIAC). Against Tuskegee he finished with a team-high 19 points and was 8-of-10 from the field. He also added six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in the loss. He finished the week with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and steal in a setback to Albany State on Jan. 14. Paine returns back to action on Jan. 23 when its hosts Morehouse College at 7 p.m.

For the second straight week, Morris has been awarded the Newcomer of the Week honor. He helped Benedict (9-7, 6-1) to a 1-1 record last week. He led the Tigers with 25 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in an 83-76 loss to Lane. Morris also recorded two assists, a block, and one steal against the Dragons. Benedict rebounded with an 88-72 win against Spring Hill (Jan. 14) where Morris scored 18 points. The 6'8 junior from Lithonia, Ga. was 7-for-10 from the floor. He finished the game with five rebounds, two assists, and a block. Benedict travels to Fort Valley in Jan. 21 for its next contest which is set to tip at 3 p.m.