Howard’s Te'Shya Heslip and Coppin State’s Genesis Lucas have been selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference co-women's basketball players of the week, the conference announced today. Norfolk State’s Kayla Roberts and Bethune-Cookman’s Kailyn Williams were named co-Defensive Players of the Week while Coppin State’s Chance Graham was selected as Rookie of the Week.
Heslip posted her second career triple double as the 5-5 redshirt senior from Dumfries, Va. scored 12 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out 14 assists in Howard’s MEAC-opening win over Florida A&M last week. Heslip also had a solid game on the defensive end as she logged five steals in 39 minutes of action as this marks the third time this season she has received player of the week honors.
Lucas led Coppin State to an undefeated week of basketball as the redshirt junior averaged 25.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and four steals while also shooting 10-of-11 from the free throw line. She finished with a game-high 24 points, eight assists and four steals in the win over South Carolina State on Jan. 4. Three days later, the Brandywine, Md. native set a new career-high with 27 points against Florida A&M. She also dished out a game-high five assists and led the defense with four steals.
Williams was a force in the paint last week as the New Orleans, La. native averaged 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 blocks and two steals en route to a 2-0 start in league play. Williams, who was named defensive player of week earlier this season, finished with 13 rebounds and four blocks at Savannah State and followed the performance up with seven blocks, 10 rebounds and 12 points versus Morgan State.
Named defensive player of the week for the third time this season, Roberts averaged 10 rebounds, three blocks and a steal during Norfolk State’s nine-point win versus Morgan State. She also aided in the scoring column with 12 points.
Graham averaged 6.5 points and nine rebounds during Coppin State’s two wins last week. The 5-11 freshman from Upper Marlboro, Md. scored eight points while grabbing 11 rebounds versus South Carolina State while recording nine rebounds at Florida A&M.
Other Top Performers
Erin Blaine (HOW) notched a career-high 21 points, on 8-of-14 shooting, with nine rebounds and four steals, against Florida A&M.
Imani Bryant (HOW) recorded six points, six rebounds, one block and one steal in a win over Florida A&M.
Dominique Harper (NSU) registered her fifth consecutive double-digit scoring game, with 12 points, against Morgan State.
Armani Walker (B-CU) totaled eight points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in wins over Savannah State and Morgan State.
Maila Tate-DeFreitas (HAM) racked up 20 points – while also dishing out three assists and grabbing three steals. She is now ranked second all-time in the MEAC in scoring, 129 behind Howard's Saadia Doyle.
Chanel Green (HAM) scored 11 points with four steals and three assists steals in the win over North Carolina A&T State.