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, Dec. 16.
Player of the Week
IImar’I Thomas * So. * F * Cincinnati
Thomas put forth a career performance in Cincinnati’s annual rivalry matchup with Xavier, the Crosstown Shootout, to lead the Bearcats to a commanding 79-61 win. The sophomore tied her career-high with 20 points on 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from the foul line and snagged a career-best 18 rebounds to lead all players in both categories. She also matched her career high with four assists and added a steal. The victory over the Musketeers snapped a four-game skid for Cincinnati in the series.
Freshman of the Week
Shyia Smith * Fr. * F * Wichita State
Smith was Wichita State’s standout performer in the Shockers’ lone game of the week – a 70-61 win over Grambling State. She led her team with 15 points and eight rebounds, setting a career-high. The freshman forward went 9-of-11 from the foul line and 3-of-6 from the field with an assist, a steal and a block in just 24 minutes on the court.
Weekly Honor Roll
Kay Kay Wright * Jr. * G * UCF
Notched her third 20-point game of the season with 21 at Duquesne, adding five rebounds and seven assists while going a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc; has reached double-figures in all nine games for UCF this season
Lashonda Monk * So. * G * ECU
Averaged 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals in a pair of wins for ECU on the week; scored 16 points against Liberty with six assists and five steals to help keep the Pirates unbeaten at home
Sydni Harvey * Fr. * G * USF
Led four Bulls in double-figures against Grambling State with 18 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists; shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe on the game
Alyssa Rader * Jr. * F * USF
Registered her third double-double of the season with a 16-point, 16-rebound outing against Grambling State; converted on 6-of-11 from the field including 2-for-3 from 3-point range
Kayla White * Fr. * G * SMU
Scored 22 of SMU’s 52 points against Rice for a new career-high; reached the total on 10-of-19 shooting from the field and rounded out her game with five rebounds, four assists and a steal