PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly women’s basketball honors for the week ending Jan. 31.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alliya Butts • So. • G • Temple • Edgewater Park, N.J.
Butts powered Temple to a pair of conference road wins with 23.5 points per game on 43.6-percent shooting and 4.5 steals per game. The two league wins propelled the Owls into third place within the American Athletic Conference standings - a half a game behind No. 20/18 USF. The sophomore guard began the week with a 22-point performance in a 72-54 win against NR/RV Tulane on Tuesday. Over the weekend, Butts finished with 25 points, including five 3-pointers, and seven steals in an 83-63 defeat of East Carolina.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Kitija Laksa • Fr. • F • USF • Riga, Latvia
Laksa averaged 18 points on 41.4-percent shooting from the field in two conference victories for the Bulls. The forward went 8-of-16 from behind the arc and grabbed 3.5 rebounds per game in the wins. Laksa poured in a game-high 24 points with six 3-pointers in a 73-49 win against Houston on Wednesday. The Latvia native followed up her Wednesday performance with 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots at SMU on Sunday.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Zykira Lewis • Jr. • G • UCF • Bartow, Fla.
Registered 18.5 points per game on 50-percent shooting from the floor in a 1-1 week for the Knights.
Alyesha Lovett • Sr. • G • Cincinnati • Newark, N.J.
Led the Bearcat’s offense with 15.5 points per contest and grabbed five rebounds per game in two conference games.
Breanna Stewart • Sr. • F • UConn • North Syracuse, N.Y.
Recorded 21.5 points per game and reeled in 8.5 rebounds in wins at Tulsa and against Memphis.
Courtney Williams • Sr. • G • USF • Folkston, Ga.
Finished a 2-0 week with 17.5 points per game on 41.9-percent shooting and 10.5 rebounds for the Bulls.
Alicia Froling • So. • F • SMU • Queensland, Australia
Averaged 18.5 points and 15.5 rebounds as the Mustangs went 1-1 in league play.