NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 15, 2023 – Coppin State sophomore guard Angel Jones was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Norfolk State’s freshman guard Da’Brya Clark was named Rookie of the Week, while Coppin State’s junior forward Laila Lawrence earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.
Jones (G, 5-4, So., Alexandria, Va.) finished the Eagles’ game against La Salle with 22 points and seven rebounds to start the season. She averaged 17 points and six rebounds in three games while going 20-of-37 from the field making 54.1% of her shots on the week. Jones collected 18 rebounds as well as four steals and four assists.
Clark (F, 5-7, Fr., Baltimore, Md.) appeared in all three contests for the Spartans, posting an 11-point, six-rebound, seven-assist and two-steal performance in the first game of her collegiate career. She averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds for the week, ending with 30 points and 16 total rebounds. She also tallied 10 assists and four steals to help NSU start the season off 3-0 with a pair of CAA wins over William & Mary and Drexel and a win against Radford from the Big South.
Lawrence (F, 6-2, Jr., Lewisville, Texas) averaged 14.3 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.67 steals in three contests this week for the Eagles. She tallied a pair of double-doubles last week after opening the season with a 20-point/10-rebound performance against La Salle and a 19-point/16-rebound showing against St. Francis (Pa.). Lawrence also added three assists, two blocks, and five steals on the week.
Other Top Performers
Gabrielle Johnson (Morgan State) averaged 14.5 point and 4.5 rebounds during the opening week finishing with 29 points, nine boards, six steals and four assists. She shot 43.8% from the floor (7-of-16) and was 14-of-18 (77.8%) from the free throw line.
Tyana Walker (Howard) averaged 15 ppg through the Bison's first three matches posting a career-high 18 points against UNH while averaging three rebounds per game.
Kierra Wheeler (Norfolk State) 15.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in three Norfolk State victories. She shot 20-of-34 from the floor (58.8 %) scoring in double-figures in all three games on the week.
Kiarra MceIrath (Delaware State) recorded 18 points, two steals, and two rebounds in two games for the Hornets.
Janyah Bohanon (Howard) collected 11 points, one block, eight steals, two assists, and three rebounds for the Bison in three games.
Joelle Johnson (Morgan State) averaged nine rebounds and 11.5 points per game to help Morgan to a 1-1 week, while adding two steals and a block. Johnson recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, six defensive, against Sacred Heart.
Vanessa Blake (Howard) opened the season with a 13-point/11-rebound performance against Geroge Washington. Blake totaled 30 points, four blocks, three steals, and 20 rebounds in three games for Howard.
Da’naijah Williams (Norfolk State) tallied 24 points, five steals, an assist and nine rebounds in three Spartan wins.