NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 17, 2023—Morgan State graduate forward Charlene Shepherd and Norfolk State sophomore forward Kierra Wheeler 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 Morgan State graduate forward Taylor Addison earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
Shepherd (6-2, Gr., F, Killeen, Texas) dropped a game- and career-high 27 points to go along with eight rebounds, four steals and two assists as Morgan State defeated rival Coppin State to remain unbeaten in MEAC play on Saturday. She made 11 of her 28 field goal attempts and went 5-for-7 from the free throw line
 
Wheeler (6-1, So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) posted a double-double – her MEAC-leading fifth of the season – as the Spartans defeated the reigning conference champion on Saturday, going for 21 points and 13 rebounds. On top of going 7-for-12 (58%) from the floor and 7-for-9 (78%) from the free throw line, Wheeler also grabbed three steals.
 
Kiaku (5-7, Fr., G, Garner, N.C.) went 8-for-10 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line en route to scoring a career-high 25 points as the Eagles defeated South Carolina State on Saturday for their first MEAC win of the season. She also had three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
 
Addison (5-10, Gr., F, Columbia, Md.) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds – six of which came on the defensive end – in the Bears’ win over Coppin State, while also grabbing five steals and blocking a pair of shots.
 
Other Top Performers
Jewel Watkins (Coppin State) had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots against Morgan State.
 
Jessica Martino (Delaware State) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and had a steal against Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Alexis Moragne (Delaware State) dropped 21 points and dished out three assists against Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Jála Bannerman (Maryland Eastern Shore) turned in a 14-point, 5-steal, 4-rebound effort against Delaware State.
 
Skye Robinson (Norfolk State) went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line, scoring six points, grabbing two rebounds and blocking a shot against Howard.
 
Nicole Gwynn (South Carolina State) had 18 points, five rebounds and two steals against North Carolina Central.