Stars of Conference Opening Week

OVC/MVC Women Open League Play

(St. Louis, MO) – Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley Conferences opened the league portion of their women’s basketball season. The stars of conference opening week helped boost their respective teams’ fortunes.

Several players are emerging as likely year-end award winners.

Opening Week Players of the Week

Eastern Illinois’ Macy McGlone nabs her third ‘Player of the Week’ award. The 6’3 forward recorded her ninth double-double scoring 30 points and grabbing ten rebounds. McGlone also blocked five shots during the Panthers’ win at Southern Illinois Edwardsville.

McGlone leads the OVC in rebounding (10.8 per game), blocked shots (1.9) and is league’s second leading scorer (16.9).

Illinois State’s DeAnna Wilson tied her career high of 26 points during the ‘War on 74’ victory over Bradley. The Redbird grad student grabbed six rebounds and she became the seventh Illinois State player to accumulate 700 during her Redbird career.

This week’s ‘Player of the Week’ is the Valley’s sixth leading scorer (15.5 ppg) and ninth leading rebounder (7.0).

Opening Week Newcomers

Leilani Wimbish-Gay is a back-to-back winner of the OVC’s ‘Newcomer of the Week’. The Little Rock junior scored 17 and 16 points while the Trojans split two road games. Little Rock’s win at Tennessee Tech is its first road win and second overall on the season.

Illinois Chicago’s Kelmari Rimmer popped 21 points during the Flames’ loss to Belmont. The DePaul transfer made nine of 11 shots and two of three from deep. Rimmer becomes the second Flame to claim a ‘Newcomer of the Week’. Makiyah Williams turned the trick during the season’s second week.

Explosive Rookies

UT Martin grabbed two road victories and freshman Kenley McCarn was one of the big reasons for their success. McCarn averaged 21 points and 6.5 rebounds and earned her third ‘Freshman of the Week’ award. The 5’11 guard is the OVC’s third leading scorer (16.6 ppg) behind McGlone and fellow freshman Raegan McCowan (Western Illinois).

Bradley’s Halli Poock was amazing in defeat. The Braves’ rookie splashed home 34 points, good for fourth best in Bradley history. The Valley’s ‘Freshman of the Week’ is averaging 12.6 points per game and three assists.

Poock is the second Brave to receive a weekly honor. Kaylen Nelson was the MVC’s ‘Newcomer of the Week’ in the season’s opening week.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of DeAnna Wilson courtesy of goredbirds.com.