NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 10, 2023—Morgan State graduate forward Charlene Shepherd and Coppin State redshirt junior guard Mossi Staples were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today. North Carolina Central’s Jerni Kiaku was named Rookie of the Week, while Norfolk State junior forward Mahoganie Williams earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Shepherd (6-2, Gr., F, Killeen, Texas) had a monster game in the Bears’ MEAC-opening win over North Carolina Central, dropping 26 points on 7-ffor-10 shooting – while also hitting 12 of her 13 free throws. She fell one rebounds shy of a double-double, while also grabbing a pair of steals.
 
Staples (5-7, r-Jr., G, Fort Washington, Md.) was key in the Eagles’ win over North Carolina Central, going for 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals. She scored 12 of those points in the fourth quarter as Coppin mounted its comeback, hitting the game-winning three in the final minute.
 
Kiaku (5-7, Fr., G, Garner, N.C.) was a combined 11-for-18 (.611) from the floor in a pair of games for the Eagles this past weekend, including a 7-for-10 effort against Morgan State, where she dropped 14 points to go along with four rebounds. She added 10 points and four boards against Coppin State, going 4-for-8 from the floor.
 
Williams (6-1, Jr., F, Monroe, La.) averaged 3.0 blocks per game in thee contests – all wins – for the Spartans this past week. She had a pair of blocked shots each in a non-conference win over Chicago State and Norfolk State’s MEAC opener against Maryland Eastern Shore, before blocking a season-high five shots at Delaware State.
 
Other Top Performers
Jalynda Salley (Coppin State) grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots against North Carolina Central.
 
Savannah Brooks (Delaware State) nearly recorded a double-double against Norfolk State, tallying nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Jessica Martino (Delaware State) grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked two shots against Howard.
 
Brooklyn Fort-Davis (Howard) had 19 points and nine rebounds against Delaware State, before turning in a 17-point, 8-rebound effort at Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Kaniyah Harris (Howard) grabbed 11 rebounds and two steals against Delaware State.
 
Nile Miller (Howard) had seven points, seven rebounds and three steals against Delaware State.
 
Gabrielle Johnson (Morgan State) had nine points, two rebounds and two assists against North Carolina Central.
 
Camille Downs (Norfolk State) dropped 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds and three steals against Maryland Eastern Shore.