BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senior Katie Villarini (Hamburg, N.Y./Lockport) of the Buffalo State women's basketball team and junior Philbert Weekes (Brooklyn, NY/Lafayette) of the Buffalo State men's basketball team have been named Bengal Athletes of the Week on Monday. This award honors the best student-athletes of the week ending Jan. 30. 

Villarini, a health and wellness major, scored a career-high 36 points, shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 5-of-9 from 3-point range in Buffalo State's victory at Fredonia Friday. The guard added 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Villarini's effort tied her career-best scoring mark, as she also scored 36 points at SUNY Oneonta Jan. 14. 

Villarini remains among the national leaders in several categories, including scoring (sixth, 22.7 points per game), free throws made (fifth, 95 made), and assists (25th, 5.0 assists per game). The Bengals (9-7, 6-4 SUNYAC) defeated Fredonia in their only contest of the week by a 73-59 score. The squad will make a Tuesday trip to Geneseo at 5:30 p.m., before hosting New Paltz on Friday and Oneonta on Saturday. 

Weekes, an economics and finance major, had another impressive day on the boards, bringing in 26 rebounds at Fredonia last Friday. The 26 rebounds were two off the Bengals' record of 28, which was tied by Weekes against John Carroll on Nov. 20. Weekes also added 18 points, two steals, and two blocked shots. 

Weekes is among the best in the nation on the glass, as he is sixth in rebounding at 13.4 rebounds per game. Weekes adds 12.9 points per game. The Bengals (2-16, 1-10 SUNYAC) fell to Fredonia by an 82-75 score last Friday. The Bengals will make a Tuesday trip to Geneseo at 7:30 p.m., before hosting New Paltz on Friday and Oneonta on Saturday. 

Kudos to: AJ Marinelli, men's hockey; DaRon Hughey, men's basketball; Clara Sensini, women's indoor track and field.