Women's Basketball

MEAC Announces Weekly Women’s Basketball Honors, presented by Coca-Cola

NORFOLK, Virginia, Feb. 7, 2024 – North Carolina Central’s junior forward Morgan Callahan was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Morgan State guard Amari Smith was named Rookie of the Week, while Coppin State forward Laila Lawrence earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. 

Callahan (F, Jr., Beach Park, Ill.) averaged 19.0 points with 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in a pair of wins for the Eagles. Callahan opened the weekend with a 21-point, nine-rebound game with one assist, two steals, and three blocks against Coppin State. She followed with a double-double performance against Morgan State, putting up 17 points and 11 rebounds with two assists and one block. On the week she shot 55.6 percent from the field (15-of-27) and 57.1 percent from the charity stripe (8-of-14).

Smith (G, Fr., 5-10, Newport News, Va.) posted back-to-back 15-point games for the Bears who went 1-1 on the weekend. She led the Bears to a 65-59 win over S.C. State and a one-point 66-65 loss to N.C. Central. Smith totaled 10 rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals over two games. 

Lawrence (F, 6-2, Jr., Lewisville, Texas) averaged a double-double of 16.5 points and 15.0 rebounds with 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals over two games for the Eagles. In the loss to North Carolina Central, Lawrence recorded a team-high 22 points and 16 rebounds with one assist. She followed with her tenth double-double of the season in the 63-39 victory over South Carolina State with 11 points and 14 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards, two assists and three steals. 

Other Top Performers 

  • Nile Miller (Howard) averaged a double-double of 12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two Bison victories over the Hawks and Hornets.
  • Tyana Walker (Howard) collected 18 points and four rebounds against UMES and followed with 10 points against DSU.
  • Anjanae Richardson (Norfolk State) totaled 10 points, two rebounds, four assists, and one steal in two games for NSU.
  • Diamond Johnson (Norfolk State) averaged 21.5 points with 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 4.5 steals in a pair of wins for Norfolk State.
  • Ja-Naiah Perkins-Jackson (Delaware State) led the Hornets with 25 points against Norfolk State going 7-of-10 from the free throw line and 4-of-9 from beyond the three-point arch.
  • Niyah Gaston (Coppin State) recorded nine points and three rebounds with one assist and one steal in the win over S.C. State.