NIU's Silas earns MAC West honors

By Fred Mitchell Senior guard Xavier Silas of Northern Illinois has been named Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week. Silas scored a career-high 34 points in just 24 minutes against Cardinal Stritch on Sunday, connecting on 11 of 17 field goals, including 6 of 9 from three-point range. Silas is 24-of-24 from the free throw line this season and has hit 38 straight free throws dating back to last season. After finished the 2009-10 season as the MAC's second-leading scorer with a 19.7 average, the 6-5 Silas is averaging 27 points and 5.3 rebounds through three games this year. Silas will lead the Huskies (1-2) into a Wednesday afternoon game versus Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.