PITTSBURGH - Freshman guard Primo Spears was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the third time following his performance in DU's two games last week.

The 6-3 Hartford,  Conn. native set career scoring highs in back-to-back games in becoming DU's first three-time Rookie of the Week since Eric Williams Jr. earned the award four times in 2018.

Spears opened the week with 25 points, six assists and two steals in 52 minutes of Duquesne's triple overtime defeat at George Washington. He followed that by tying the Duquesne freshman scoring record - set by Williams Jr. - with 34 points in the regular-season finale vs. La Salle. Spears, who added five more assists and three steals vs. the Explorers, had 25 in the second half in helping the Dukes cut an 18-point deficit to five with four minutes left in the 85-76 defeat.

For the week, Spears averaged 29.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals.

Spears, who is averaging 12.1 ppg., is bidding to become just the fifth freshman to lead the Dukes in scoring. The four previous freshman scoring leaders: Wayne Smith (16.6 ppg. in 1999), Robert Mitchell (16.4 ppg. in 2007), Derrick Colter (13.5 ppg. in 2013) and Mike Lewis II (14.1 ppg. in 2017) all earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. This year's All-Rookie Team will be announced by the conference office on Tuesday.

Duquesne opens play in the Atlantic 10 Championship on Wednesday, Mar. 9 vs. Rhode Island at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+) at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

DUQUESNE'S ATLANTIC 10 HONORS THIS SEASON
Nov. 15 - Amir "Primo" Spears - Rookie of the Week
Nov. 29 - Leon Ayers III - Player of the Week
Jan. 10 - Jackie Johnson III - Rookie of the Week
Jan. 24 - Amir "Primo" Spears - Rookie of the Week
Mar. 7 - Amir "Primo" Spears - Rookie of the Week