PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly women’s basketball honors for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 8.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kitija Laksa • So. • F • USF
Laksa averaged 24.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in an undefeated week for 22
nd ranked USF that included wins at Tulane and over Tulsa. The sophomore scored a conference-high 37 points on 13-of-25 (.520) shooting, including 7-of-14 (.500) from beyond the arc, in Saturday’s win over Tulsa. Laksa was one of four Bulls in double figure scoring last Wednesday in the win over the Green Wave, which snapped Tulane’s 11-game home winning streak dating back to last season.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Alexis Gaulden • Fr. • G • Tulsa
Gaulden averaged 11.0 points, 2.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game last week in a pair of games for Tulsa. The freshman opened the week with 13 points in last Wednesday’s win over Memphis. She scored nine points to go along with two rebounds, two steals and two assists in Saturday’s matchup at USF. Gaulden shot 50-percent (7-of-14) over the two games and made 5-of-10 (.500) from 3-point range.
Weekly Honor Roll
Ana Owens • Jr. • G • Cincinnati
Averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in a 2-0 week for Cincinnati
Napheesa Collier • So. • F • UConn
Scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting in 25 minutes of action in a win over East Carolina
Bre McDonald • R-Sr. • G/F • East Carolina
Led the Pirates with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Saturday’s win over SMU
Maria Jespersen • Jr. • F • USF
Averaged 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in a 2-0 week that included wins over Tulane and Tulsa
Tanaya Atkinson • Jr. • G • Temple
Led Temple to a pair of wins last week, averaged 19.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 68-percent from the field