Senior: North Dakota’s Julia Fleecs is this week’s senior of the week. Fleecs averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and two assists against Western Illinois. Fleecs was key in leading North Dakota to their first victory of the season.
Junior: Kansas City junior RaVon Nero did not have the start she planned for against North Dakota State this weekend. Nero was held to just five points on 2of-5 shooting in 24 minutes in Friday’s 53-45 win over the Bison. The Edmond, Okla., native, however, bolted out for a 28-point performance on Saturday in the Roos 68-65 loss to NDSU. Coming into Saturday’s game against NDSU, Nero was averaging 8.9 points per game but her 28 points were a season-high. She finished 8-of-12 from the floor and drained a season-high five 3-pointers in 31 minutes. She also added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Nero hadn’t scored 20 or more points entering Saturday’s contest and snapped her two-game streak of not scoring in double-figures.
Sophomore: North Dakota State’s Heaven Hamling is this week’s sophomore of the week. Hamling averaged 14.5 points and 3 rebounds as NDSU split the weekend series with Kansas City. Hamling is having a fantastic season and is a repeat winner of the award.
Freshmen: Covid issues hit the women’s side of things this week and left us with half the normal games. Anna Deets of Western Illinois had a pair of double-figure games off the bench to help the Leathernecks get a split in Grand Forks over the weekend. The 5’9 Mason City, Iowa native is averaging 6.4 points per game this season. Western hosts Denver this coming weekend.
Bench: Jaclyn Jarnot, North Dakota; Jarnot made her presence felt off the bench last weekend against Western Illinois, recording a double-double in both games against the Leathernecks. In Saturday’s 83-74 loss, Jarnot came off the bench to score 10 points and grab 12 rebounds. In Friday’s 79-57 victory, she also recorded a double-double, this time finishing with 12 points while adding 10 rebounds. The win on Friday was UND’s first of the season.
Defense: Kansas City. The Roos were able to split a pair of home games this past weekend against NDSU thanks in part to a great defensive effort on Friday night. Kansas City was able to rack up four blocks, 12 steals, six of which by Paige Bradford and hold NDSU to 32.7% shooting from the field (25% from the three-point line) in route to a 53-45 victory. On Saturday, Kansas City tallied another nine steals and three blocks in a close loss of 65-68, with 22 of their points coming off NDSU turnovers. Next up for the Roos (4-5) are another pair of home games against Omaha (0-4) on Friday and Saturday.