Canisius College freshman Josiah Heath was named to the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight Honor Roll for the week of Dec. 19, after he averaged a double-double last week in two road games, the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight program announced today. Heath is the second Golden Griffin to receive Jesuit Basketball Spotlight Honor Roll accolades this season, as teammate Harold Washington has already been honored two times this year.

Heath averaged 11 points, 16.5 rebounds and three blocks per game last week as the Griffs went 1-1 in non-conference action at UMKC and South Dakota. In the team's loss to UMKC Dec. 16, the 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward recorded his first career double-double with 14 points while setting the program's modern-era freshman rebounding record with 18 boards to go with three blocked shots. He followed that outing by posting eight points, a game-high 15 rebounds and three blocks as the Blue and Gold defeated South Dakota 90-80 in overtime Dec. 18. For the week, he shot 50 percent (6-for-12) from the floor and he also went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Heath was also recognized as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Week for his efforts against UMKC and South Dakota.

The Jesuit Basketball Spotlight project is a nationwide effort to identify basketball games between Jesuit schools and through those games, bring a greater positive awareness to the Jesuit education and mission. There are more than 90 games schedule this season between Jesuit colleges and universities.

The Griffs return to action Thursday, Dec. 22, when the team plays host to Loyola (Chicago) in the backend of a basketball doubleheader in the Koessler Athletic Center. The Canisius women's team will get the evening started when they host Albany at 5:15 p.m., and the men's game will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcast by Time Warner Cable.