SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Mitchell Love (Sacramento, Calif./St. Ignatios Prep (SC)) of the Cosumnes River College men’s basketball team has been selected as the CRC Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Jan. 25-31.

Love led the Hawks to a pair of road victories over defending state champion Santa Rosa and Diablo Valley this past week, keeping CRC in first place of the Big 8 conference.  The 6’2” sophomore guard opened the week against Santa Rosa, scoring 22 points on an efficient 9-18 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and dishing seven assists, as Cosumnes River took a decisive 69-58 victory over the defending Big 8 and CCCAA champion Santa Rosa Bear Cubs. 

Love followed up that performance with another strong game against rival Diablo Valley on Friday night.  Shooting an efficient 6-12 from the floor, Love led the Hawks with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, as Cosumnes River defeated the Diablo Valley Vikings 61-56 to remain in sole possession of first place in the Big 8.

Love, who also serves as team captain, has really stepped his game up as Cosumnes River entered Big 8 play.  Since January, Love is averaging 19.4 points, grabbing over four rebounds and four assists per contest.  He took over a starting guard position following a solid freshman campaign, where Love was a reserve guard on a team that finished 23-9 on the year, reaching the Northern California Regional finals and a second place finish in the Big 8 conference.

This is Love’s first CRC Student-Athlete of the Week honor, as well as the first for the men’s basketball team this season.  Love returns home for a pair of home games against crosstown rivals, as CRC will play host to both American River and Sacramento City this week. 

The Hawks host ARC tonight, while they will host the Panthers of Sac City on Friday night.  Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7:30.