BAKERSFIELD’S OUTLAND NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bakersfield junior guard Tyonna Outland has been named Western Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 17-23. This is her fourth WAC Player of the Week honor of the season.
The Compton, Calif., native led Bakersfield to a 2-0 record last week with wins over Kansas City and Chicago State. Outland opened the week by tying the program Division I record for points in a game with 36 to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. She also tied the school Division I school record for field goals made in a game with 14 and shot 51.9 percent against the ‘Roos. Against Chicago State, Outland finished with team highs of 19 points and eight rebounds to go along with a game-high five assists against no turnovers. For the week, she averaged 27.5 points on 54 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Outland entered the week averaging 20.3 points on 43 percent shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 2.35 assists and 1.57 steals.
Other nominees included: Chicago State’s Tashuna Brown averaged 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block last week ... Johnna Brown of Grand Canyon averaged 10.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals as the Antelopes went 1-1 on the week ... Idaho’s Alyssa Charlston finished with 17 points, three rebounds, one block and one steal in a road win at Grand Canyon ... Kim Nezianya of Kansas City averaged 20.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks in a pair of losses ... New Mexico State’s Danesia Williamson finished with 22 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a win over Texas-Pan American ... Brittany Bush of UTPA finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks in a loss to the Aggies ... Utah Valley’s Katie Kuklok averaged 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists as the Wolverines won two games in a row for just the second time all season.
OUTLAND NAMED USBWA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association selected Bakersfield guard Tyonna Outland as its Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 23. As the WAC Player of the Week, Outland was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by Mel Greenberg, the USBWA coordinator for women’s basketball, from a list of Division I conference players of the week. Outland averaged 27.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with a 54.0 field goal percentage as Bakersfield picked up two WAC wins against Kansas City and Chicago State.
TWO WAC PLAYERS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS®
Kansas City senior Eilise O’Connor and Idaho senior Alyssa Charlston were named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Division I Women’s Basketball Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). O’Connor was a first team selection, while Charlston was named to the second team.
O’Connor, a San Francisco, Calif., native, holds a 3.99 GPA as a health sciences (pre-dentistry) major and chemistry minor and was a semifinalist for the Senior C.L.A.S.S. Award and the WBCA Allstate Good Works Team. Last season, she was named to the Division I-AAA Scholar Athlete Team and Summit League Academic All-League, while three times being selected as a member of the Summit League Academic Honor Roll and twice as a member of the Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence. O’Connor is the first ‘Roo women’s basketball player to earn a spot on one of the three teams and just the third Kansas City student-athlete to be named to the first team.
Charlston, a native of Sammamish, Wash., holds a 3.97 GPA, as a broadcasting and digital media major. A three-time Academic All-WAC selection, she has been on the Dean’s List on five occasions. Charlston is the second player in program history to earn the honor and the only Idaho women’s basketball player ever to repeat.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale, have reached sophomore athletic status and completed one full year at their current institution.
WAC STAT LEADERS
Idaho leads the WAC in scoring margin (11.0), field goal percentage defense (35.0), rebounding (43.4), blocks (4.3), assist-turnover ratio (1.23) and defensive rebounds (30.89). Seattle U is tops in field goal percentage (45.1), rebounding defense (36.6), rebounding margin (4.3) and assists (16.42), while Bakersfield leads the conference in scoring (75.9) and offensive rebounds (15.6). Grand Canyon leads the WAC in scoring defense (61.6) and steals (8.92), while Kansas City is tops in free throw percentage (77.8) and three-point field goal percentage defense (26.8). New Mexico State leads the WAC in three-pointers per game (8.81), while Texas-Pan American is tops in turnover margin (4.54) and Utah Valley leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (34.4).
Individually, Kansas City’s Eilise O’Connor leads the WAC in scoring (21.3) and minutes per game (37.81), while Bakersfield’s Batabe Zempare is tops in rebounding (11.2) and offensive rebounds (4.21). Utah Valley’s Katie Kuklok leads the league in free throw percentage (94.8) and three-pointers per game (3.0), while Idaho’s Ali Forde is tops in field goal percentage (59.5) and blocks (1.91). Grand Canyon’s Kaitlyn Petersen leads the WAC in assists (5.08), while teammate Deanna Daniels is tops in steals (2.16). Dajy Vines of Bakersfield leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (44.4), while Connie Ballestero of Idaho is tops in assist/turnover ratio (2.49) and Kansas City’s Kim Nezianya leads the league in defensive rebounds (7.04).
In WAC games only, Idaho leads the conference in scoring defense (59.3), scoring margin (18.5), field goal percentage defense (32.2), three-point field goal percentage defense (26.8), rebounding (44.1), blocks (5.62), assists (16.08), assist-turnover ratio (1.36) and defensive rebounds (32.92). Seattle U leads the WAC in field goal percentage (47.3), rebounding defense (33.4) and rebounding margin (8.9), while Bakersfield is tops in scoring (78.7) and steals (8.23). Grand Canyon leads the league in free throw percentage (77.8) and three-point field goal percentage (35.9), while Texas-Pan American is tops in turnover margin (4.38). Kansas City leads the WAC in offensive rebounds (14.46), while New Mexico State is tops in three-pointers per game (9.62).
Individually in WAC games, Bakersfield’s Tyonna Outland leads the conference in scoring (22.9), while Nezianya is tops in rebounding (13.8), offensive rebounds (4.92) and defensive rebounds (8.92). Seattle U’s Wilma Afunugo leads the WAC in field goal percentage (69.5), teammate Makenna Clark is tops in three-point field goal percentage (50.0) and Sylvia Shephard is tops in steals (1.85). Petersen is tops in assists (5.83), while O’Connor leads the league in free throw percentage (88.9) and minutes played (37.85). Forde is tops in blocked shots (2.46), Ballestero leads the WAC in assist/turnover ratio (2.89) and Sasha Weber of New Mexico State is tops in three-pointers per game (3.15).
IDAHO’S CHARLSTON MOVES INTO FIFTH PLACE IN VANDAL CAREER SCORING
In a win over Grand Canyon on Feb. 22, Idaho senior Alyssa Charlston moved into fifth place all-time at Idaho in career scoring with 1,483 career points. At her current pace, she would conclude her career with 1,554 points.
KANSAS CITY’S NEZIANYA BECOMES PROGRAM LEADER IN CAREER REBOUNDS
Kansas City’s Kim Nezianya became the program’s all-time leading rebounder at the 1:29 mark of the first half against New Mexico State on Feb. 13 when she pulled down her 865th career rebound, breaking the record of 864 held by Laurie Smith (1981-85). Nezianya now has 918 career rebounds and at her current pace would end her career with 963 career boards. In addition, her 279 rebounds this season ranks fifth all-time in the UMKC single-season record books, six boards shy of fourth place.
UMKC’S O’CONNOR SETS PROGRAM, WAC RECORDS FOR FREE THROWS IN A SEASON
Kansas City’s Eilise O’Connor broke her own school record for free throws in a season (180) against New Mexico State on Feb. 13. Then, with a pair of free throws made with 36 seconds left in the game against Texas-Pan American on Feb. 15, O’Connor tied and then broke the WAC record for free throws in a season when she passed Wyoming’s Amy Burnett, who had 194 during the 1993-94 season. O’Connor, who made 15 of 17 free throws on the game, has now made 216 free throws this season.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR WAC TOURNAMENT
All-session tickets for the 2014 WAC Tournament, which consists of 14 games in eight sessions, are on sale now through WAC institutions and through the Orleans Arena Box Office. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets from their institution’s ticket office to avoid service fees associated with the Orleans Arena site. Single-session tickets, which allow access to the two games in each session, will not be available for purchase until March 12 and can only be purchased through the Orleans Arena Box Office.
TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES
BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS (16-9, 10-3 WAC)
The Roadrunners defeated Kansas City 97-91 last Thursday and beat Chicago State 99-58 on Saturday ... Against the Kangaroos, Tyonna Outland tied the Bakersfield Division I record for points in a game with 36 to go along with eight rebounds ... Melissa Sweat added 24 points, while Alyssa Shannon finished with 13 ... Against the Cougars, Outland led the ‘Runners with 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists ... Dajy Vines added 17 points, while Sweat finished with 16 ... As a team, Bakersfield ranks 39th nationally in scoring (75.9) and 50th in free throw percentage (73.5) ... Batabe Zempare ranks 14th nationally in rebounds per game (11.2), while Outland is 27th in points per game (20.9) and 38th in total points (522) ... Bakersfield leads the WAC in scoring and offensive rebounds (15.6) ... Outland has 1,346 career points, good for fifth all-time at Bakersfield and 450 points shy of the record ... The Roadrunners play at Texas-Pan American on Thursday and at New Mexico State on Saturday.
CHICAGO STATE COUGARS (3-23, 0-13 WAC)
The Cougars fell 84-64 at Utah Valley last Thursday and lost 99-58 at Bakersfield on Saturday ... Against the Wolverines, Tierra Williams had 20 points, while Jasmine Sanders added 14 ... Against the Roadrunners, Tashuna Brown posted career highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds for her first-ever double-double ... Cailin Nix added 13 points, while Layne Murphy tallied 12 ... Brown had a WAC season-high 12 offensive boards against the ‘Runners ... As a team, Chicago State ranks 27th nationally in personal fouls per game (16.1) ... The Cougars rank second in the WAC in steals (8.88), third in blocked shots (2.81) and fourth in three-point field goal percentage defense (31.1) ... Sanders ranks third in the WAC in steals (1.91), while Chanel Wilson-Stewart is fourth in blocks (1.38) and Konnor Harris is 10th in three-pointers per game (1.38) ... Murphy is fourth in minutes per game (34.42), seventh in blocks (1.0) and ninth in rebounding (7.0) ... The Cougars host Grand Canyon on Saturday.
GRAND CANYON ANTELOPES (17-8, 6-6 WAC)
The Antelopes defeated Seattle U 72-66 last Thursday, then fell 68-54 to Idaho on Saturday, snapping a nine-game home winning streak ... Against the Redhawks, Jenna Pearson and Deanna Daniels had 19 points apiece, while Johnna Brown posted her sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds ... Kaitlyn Petersen added 11 points, while Justine Johnson dished out seven assists ... Against the Vandals, Daniels had 10 points and 10 boards for her fourth double-double of the season ... Brown pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, while Petersen dished out eight assists ... GCU leads the WAC in scoring defense (61.1) and steals (8.92), ranks second in scoring margin (8.3), rebounding defense (37.4) and turnover margin (3.24), and third in three-point field goal percentage (33.1), three-point field goal percentage defense (30.1), assists (13.76) and assist-turnover ratio (0.94) ... The Antelopes play at Kansas City on Thursday and at Chicago State on Saturday.
IDAHO VANDALS (19-8, 12-1 WAC)
The Vandals defeated Grand Canyon 68-54 Saturday ... Stacey Barr had 17 points and nine rebounds, while Alyssa Charlston added 17 points, Connie Ballestero had 14 and Christina Salvatore finished with 10 ... The Vandals rank 11th nationally in turnovers per game (12.4), 12th in field goal percentage defense (35.0), 13th in personal fouls per game (15.3), 16th in three-pointers per game (8.4), 22nd in assist-turnover ratio (1.23) and 26th in three-point field goal percentage defense (27.7) ... Ballestero ranks 22nd in the nation in assist-turnover ratio (2.49), while Barr is 49th in double-doubles (11) and Forde is 49th in blocks per game (1.91) ... The Vandals have made at least one three-point basket in 192 consecutive games ... Last week, Charlston was selected as an Academic All-American for the second time in her career, landing on the second team after earning third team honors as a sophomore ... Idaho hosts Seattle U on Saturday in their only game this week.
KANSAS CITY KANGAROOS (10-16, 6-7 WAC)
The Kangaroos fell 97-91 at Bakersfield last Thursday and lost 49-43 at Utah Valley on Saturday ... Against the Roadrunners, Eilise O’Connor had 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists ... Kim Nezianya added 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Calli White finished with 18 points ... Against the Wolverines, Nezianya posted her WAC-leading 15th double-double of the year with 18 points and 14 rebounds ... O’Connor added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists ... Kansas City ranks seventh nationally in free throw percentage (77.8) and 11th in three-point field goal percentage defense (26.8) ... O’Connor ranks 21st in the nation in free throw percentage (87.4), 24th in points per game (21.3) and 25th in total points (553), while Nezianya is 15th in rebounds per game (11.2) and 17th in double-doubles (15) ... Calli White has 59 three-pointers on the season, good for second all-time among UMKC freshmen and one shy of the record ... The ‘Roos host Grand Canyon on Thursday in their only game this week.
NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES (10-16, 7-6 WAC)
The Aggies defeated Texas-Pan American 83-71 last Thursday in their only game of the week ... Danesia Williamson led all players with 22 points and seven assists, while Moriah Mack added 16 points and 10 boards for her first double-double of the season ... Sasha Weber finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Abby Scott added 11 points ... New Mexico State leads the WAC and ranks 12th nationally in three-pointers per game (8.8) ... The Aggies also rank second in the WAC in blocked shots (3.19) and fourth in both offensive rebounds (12.77) and defensive rebounds (26.88) ... Weber ranks third in the WAC in three-pointers per game (2.42), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (36.4), ninth in minutes per game (32.08), and 10th in both scoring (13.5) and steals (1.38) ... Scott is sixth in the WAC in three-pointers per game (1.96), while Tyler Ellis is eighth in offensive rebounds (2.58) ... The Aggies host Utah Valley on Thursday and Bakersfield on Saturday.
SEATTLE U REDHAWKS (13-13, 8-5 WAC)
The Redhawks fell 72-66 at Grand Canyon last Thursday in their only game of the week ... Wilma Afunugo had a career-high 19 points, while Ashley Ward tallied a season-high 16 points ... Kacie Sowell posted her 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds ... Seattle U leads the WAC and ranks 24th nationally in field goal percentage (45.0) and leads the WAC and ranks 29th in the nation in assists per game (16.4) ... Sowell ranks ninth nationally in field goal percentage (58.6) ... Seattle U also leads the WAC in rebounding defense (36.6) and rebounding margin (4.3), ranks second in field goal percentage defense (40.1) and defensive rebounds (28.54), third in steals (8.23), and fourth in scoring (72.1), scoring margin (1.5), rebounding (40.9) and assist-turnover ratio (0.84) ... Sowell ranks third in the WAC in rebounding (9.2) and sixth in scoring (15.1) ... The Redhawks play at Idaho on Saturday in their only game this week.
TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN BRONCS (12-14, 6-7 WAC)
The Broncs fell 83-71 at New Mexico State last Thursday in their only game of the week ... Brittany Bush led UTPA with 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season ... KaeLynn Boyd had a team-high 17 points to go along with a career-high-tying eight boards, while Jasmine Thompson finished with 12 points ... UTPA leads the WAC and ranks 25th nationally in turnover margin (4.54), and ranks third in the WAC and 36th nationally in three-pointers per game (7.58) ... The Broncs also rank second in the WAC in offensive rebounds (14.27), third in scoring defense (65.5), and fourth in field goal percentage defense (40.6), blocks (2.77) and steals (8.0) ... Shawnte’ Goff ranks fourth in the WAC in three-point percentage (37.8) and seventh in free throw percentage (79.7), while Bush is second in blocks (1.44) and fifth in rebounding (8.4) ... The Broncs host New Bakersfield on Thursday and Utah Valley on Saturday.
UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES (6-20, 3-10 WAC)
The Wolverines defeated Chicago State 84-64 last Thursday and beat Kansas City 49-43 on Saturday ... Against the Cougars, UVU matched its program record for best shooting percentage (63.3) ... Katie Kuklok had 24 points, while Sam Loggins added 21 points ... Georgia Agnew posted her first career double-double of 10 points and 12 assists ... Against the Kangaroos, Rhaiah Spooner-Knight recorded her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Kuklok added 16 points ... Loggins finished with eight rebounds and six blocks, the second-most ever recorded in program history ... As a team, the Wolverines rank 34th nationally in free throw percentage (74.5) and 49th in personal fouls per game (16.7) ... Kuklok ranks fourth in the nation in free throw percentage (94.8), 17th in three-pointers per game (3.0) and 18th in three-point percentage (43.4) ... The Wolverines play at New Mexico State on Thursday and at Texas-Pan American on Saturday.