Tuesday, February 22, 2011

MACON, Ga. – FGCU and UNF picked up critical home wins over the weekend behind the performances of Nicoya Jackson and Larkira Jones. Jackson, the Atlantic Sun Newcomer of the Week, averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in wins against Campbell and Stetson to push the Eagles closer to the A-Sun regular season title, while Jones continued her dominance on the glass for the Ospreys by pulling down 30 rebounds on the week in defeats of Kennesaw State and Mercer.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Larkira Jones, UNF (Center – So. – St. Petersburg, Fla. – Psychology)
• First A-Sun Player of the Week award
• Averaged a double-double (12 PPG, 15 RPG) in home wins against Mercer and Kennesaw State
• Scored a career-high 18 points against Mercer on 72.7 percent shooting along with 16 boards
• Her 11.2 RPG in conference games ranks second, while her five double-doubles ties for fifth
• Also contributed six blocks and two steals on the week

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Lynsey Paschal (Forward, Jacksonville) – Scored career-best 20 points in home final against Mercer
• Shannon Murphy (Guard, FGCU) – Her 15.5 PPG and 2.5 APG put the Eagles one game away from clinching share of A-Sun title
• Tereva Moore (Post, Belmont) – Totaled career-highs in points (18) and rebounds (14) against ETSU
• Tonisha Baker (Guard, Campbell) – Averaged 12 PPG and 7 RPG for the Camels in two road games
• Natalie Pickwell (Guard, ETSU) – Produced 19 PPG and 8.5 RPG for the Lady Bucs in two road wins

NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK:
Nicoya Jackson, FGCU (Guard – Jr. – Houston, Texas – Criminal Justice)
• First A-Sun Newcomer of the Week
• In wins against Campbell and Stetson, Jackson averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds
• Two wins put the Eagles one game away from at least clinching a share of the A-Sun regular-season title
• Added four steals and three assists on the week

OTHER NOMINEES:
• Molly Ernst (Guard, Belmont) – Poured in a career-high 22 points in a double-overtime game against ETSU
• Taylor Smith (Forward, UNF) – Scored 14 against Kennesaw State, while adding a career-high five steals
• Brittnee Hazel (Forward, Mercer) – Tallied 17 points and seven rebounds at Jacksonville

PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Feb. 15: Latisha Belcher (ETSU) and Victoria McGowan (Stetson)
Feb. 8: Courtney Chihil (FGCU) and Destiny Mitchell (ETSU)
Feb. 1: Destiny Mitchell (ETSU) and Sarah Hansen (FGCU)
Jan. 25: Tee'Ara Copney (USC Upstate) and Briana Williams (Mercer)
Jan. 18: Brittany Kirkland (UNF) and Victoria McGowan (Stetson)
Jan. 11: Shannon Murphy (FGCU) and Destiny Mitchell (ETSU)
Jan. 4: Tara Davis (ETSU) and Destiny Mitchell (ETSU)
Dec. 28: Courtney Chihil (FGCU) and Sasha Sims (Stetson)
Dec. 21: Natasha Graboski (Stetson) and Sarah Whitfield (FGCU)
Dec. 14: Shaunda Strayhorn (Belmont) and Ashley James (Campbell)
Dec. 7: Briana Williams (Mercer) and Destiny Mitchell (ETSU)
Nov. 30: Shannon Murphy (FGCU) and Sarah Hansen (FGCU)
Nov. 23: Anna Bowers (Lipscomb) and Briana Williams (Mercer)  
Nov. 16: Tara Davis (ETSU) and Molly Ernst (Belmont)

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