Delaware State sophomore NaJai Pollard and Norfolk State junior Kayla Roberts were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week, the conference announced today. Hampton’s Ashley Bates earned Rookie of the Week honors, while teammate Kaylah Lupoe was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Pollard (F, 5-11, So., Richmond, Va.) averaged a double-double of 24.5 points and 15.0 rebounds, with 3.0 assists and 3.5 blocks, against Norfolk State and South Carolina State. She notched a career-high 18 rebounds, 13 off the defensive glass, against Norfolk State. She also posted her 11th double-double of the season, with game highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds, in the 72-70 win at South Carolina State.
Roberts (G/F, 6-1, Jr., Miami, Fla.) shot 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the floor to record 37 points, with 23 rebounds, two assists, seven blocks and one steal, against Delaware State and Hampton. She recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds, for her eighth double-double of the season, against Hampton. Roberts also shot 73.7 percent (14-of-19) from the free-throw line in both games.
Bates (G, 5-7, Fr. Hopkins, Minn.) totaled 24 points, 17 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in wins over North Carolina Central and Norfolk State. She registered her first collegiate double-double, with season-highs of 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, in the 58-57 comeback victory at Norfolk State.
Lupoe (F, 6-2, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) finished with 15 rebounds, 11 blocks and one steal in wins over North Carolina Central and Norfolk State. Twelve of Lupoe’s 15 rebounds came off the defensive glass. She tied her career high with six blocks, the second most in a game in school history, during a 60-36 win over North Carolina Central. Offensively, she added 12 points in 33 minutes of action against Norfolk State.
Other Top Performers
Kendra Cooper (BCU): Averaged 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, including an 18-point performance in a win over Florida A&M.
Armani Walker (BCU): Grabbed 14 rebounds against Maryland Eastern Shore; averaged 10.5 boards in two games.
Chance Graham (CSU): Recorded a double-double against Howard, with a career-high 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Erin Blaine (HOW): Recorded her first double-double of the season (16 points, 11 rebounds) in a win over Coppin State.
Te’Shya Heslip (HOW): Averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds as the Lady Bison went 1-1 last week.
Keyera Eaton (MDES): Dropped a game-high 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting in a win at Bethune-Cookman.
Aliyah Kilpatrick (NCAT): Averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in two games (including eight dimes against Morgan State).
Alexus Lessears (NCAT): Averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds; had 13 points and nine boards in a win over Howard.
Tiyonda Davis (SSU): Grabbed 11 rebounds against Morgan State; averaged 9.0 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in two games.
Kenyata Hendrix (SSU): Averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State; scored 18 points against Morgan State, while also dishing out seven assists.