HIGH POINT — St. Andrews senior guard Joseph Gripper has been selected as the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas men's basketball Player of the Week during week number six in the 2008-09 season (includes all contests over the holiday break).

Gripper had two strong performances off the bench after returning from the holiday break, averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Gripper sizzled the nets in both games, shooting a combined 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from the field and 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from 3-point distance while hitting his only free throw attempt.

Gripper tallied his first double-double of the season in a tough 76-74 road loss at Newberry College (9-2) on Tuesday. Gripper had game highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-tying jumper with 10 seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime.

Gripper had a game-high 19 points and pulled down five boards in the Knights' 76-64 win over league rival Lees-McRae on Saturday, giving SAPC its first conference win. He handed out three assists and knocked down three 3-pointers in each contest.

The Charlotte native has scored in double digits in all 10 games for SAPC, leading the team in most statistical categories. Gripper is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals.

Gripper and the Knights next travel to Conference Carolinas rival Coker College (Hartsville, S.C.) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.