This post is part of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night feature.
Each morning throughout the 2011-12 season, The Arena Pulse will select and name its "Player of the Night" from the previous evening's action.
Xavier needed a number of crucial plays from their star Tu Holloway in order to complete their come-from-behind victory on Monday night.
The Musketeers defeated Vanderbilt in Nashville, keyed by Holloway's performance in the overtime victory. However, despite the importance he meant in Xavier's statement win, it was not as crucial as an individual who helped Oakland defeat Tennessee for a second consecutive season.
The winner of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night (11/28):
Name: Reggie Hamilton
School: Oakland
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Stat Line: 35 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Led by former star Keith Benson, Oakland defeated Tennessee in Knoxville last season.
As part of this season's non-conference schedule, Tennessee agreed to pay a visit to the Michigan-based mid-major, yet the result ended in similar fashion for the Vols.
Oakland defeated Tennessee for the second consecutive season, and fresh off a 1-2 record as part of the Maui Invitational, the Vols' loss on Monday is another early-season defeat in the record column. The Golden Grizzlies on the other hand, improved to 4-2 overall, as star guard Reggie Hamilton stole the spotlight.
Hamilton, a senior, finished the game with a career-high 35 points, converting on a number of key baskets that helped keep the Grizzlies in front for much of the contest.
Alongside his 35 points, Hamilton secured six rebounds, while also dishing out three assists. In the 89-81 victory, Hamilton was perfect from the free throw line, finishing the game unblemished at 15-for-15 from the strike.
While Hamilton was well-known within the Summit League prior to his hot start to the season, his play to begin the year has only made Oakland that much more intriguing.
After beginning the season with back-to-back losses to Alabama and Arkansas, Oakland has now tallied off four consecutive wins, including their most recent victory over Tennessee.
Over the past two games, Hamilton has combined for 69 points, setting a new career-high on Monday with 35. That mark comes just three days after finishing with 34 points in a win over Utah Valley State.
Oakland (4-2) will host South Dakota (2-3) on Thursday, Dec. 1, looking to extend their winning streak to five.
Honorable Mention: Tu Holloway (Xavier)- 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
*Photo: Reggie Hamilton *Credit: detnews.com
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Original Story:
http://www.thearenapulse.com/2011/11/...
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November 28, 2011
