Drake's Becca Hittner averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in road wins over Missouri State and Southern Illinois, earning her first MVC Player of the Week honor in her career. Loyola freshman Abby O'Connor averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as Loyola split a pair of home contests against Bradley and Illinois State, earning her first Newcomer of the Week honor.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Becca Hittner, So., G, Drake
Drake sophomore Becca Hittner averaged 19.5 point, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as she helped the Bulldogs go 2-0 on its first MVC road trip. In the Missouri State victory, she poured in a game-high 24 points behind an efficient shooting performance of 6-of-10 from the floor, including making 3-of-6 from behind the three-point line, while adding six rebounds, one assist and one steal. In the victory over SIU, she scored a game-high 15 points behind another 6-of-10 shooting performance, adding a career-high seven assists with seven rebounds and three steals.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK:
Abby O’Connor, Fr., G, Loyola
Loyola freshman Abby O’Connor helped the Ramblers to a split at home this past weekend, averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two contests. Following a 13-point, four-rebound performance against Bradley on Friday night, the South Bend, Ind. product erupted for a season-high 24 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter, as the Ramblers picked up a 62-59 victory over Illinois State on Sunday afternoon. O’Connor, who also added seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks against the Redbirds, currently ranks fourth amongst Valley freshmen in both scoring (10.2 ppg, 19th overall) and rebounding (5.5 rpg, 12th overall).
Noteworthy - In addition to the league's player and newcomer of the week selections, several conference players had notable performances, and they include:
Danielle Brewer (BRAD) - Brewer averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 87 percent from the free throw line in a pair of road victories. She opened the week with what was a then season-best 17 points as she made a career-best seven free throws to go with six boards, one assist and one steal in a 59-57 road win at Loyola. In the 100th game of her career, the Indiana native had the strongest outing of her career to power Bradley to a convincing 88-69 win at Valparaiso. Brewer was 7-for-8 from the field, including 2-of-3 from three-point range and had a career-best 22 points against the Crusaders. She also added seven rebounds, three assists and a steal as she helped Bradley sweep a three-game MVC road swing for the first time in program history. In addition, Brewer helped the Braves open Valley play with a 3-0 record for just the fourth time in school history and Bradley’s four-game win streak is the longest since 2011-12.
Wendi Bibbins (INS) - Her five blocked shots against Evansville were a career high and ties for the most by any Missouri Valley Conference player this year … Led all players with 16 points in Indiana State’s win over Evansville on Friday … Added eight rebounds, two assists and two steals to her effort … Was 6-for-15 from the field and 4 of 6 from the line.
Alexa Willard (MSU) - Alexa Willard averaged 13.5 points and shot 50 percent from the floor last week, extending her double-figure scoring streak to eight consecutive games. Friday, Willard scored a team-high 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding two assists and a rebound. Sunday, the sophomore tallied 10 points, two boards and a steal in the win over UNI.
Ellie Howell (UNI) - Howell scored in double-figures twice as the Panthers dropped two tough road decisions to Southern Illinois and Missouri State. Howell scored 10 points against the Salukis, while earning 12 against the Bears to cap the weekend. The redshirt junior has now scored in double-figures seven times this season, with three coming in the last four MVC games.
Mackenzie Silvey (SIU) - Makenzie Silvey shot 50% (12-of-24) from the field, including 46.2% (6-of-13) from three-point range and averaged 15.0 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game as SIU split a pair of MVC games over the weekend. In SIU’s 60-53 overtime win over UNI, Silvey poured in a career-high 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including seven points on 3-of-3 shooting in the overtime frame. The Glen Carbon, Ill. native scored 13 points to go along with five assists and a career-best five steals against Drake on Sunday, which marked the eighth time this season that she has reached double figures.
Dani Franklin (VALPO) - Averaged 13.5 points per game over two games, reaching double figures for the 11th time in 15 games this year with 10 points against Bradley on Sunday after pouring in 17 points to lift Valpo over Illinois State 56-50 on Friday night.
Shunseere Kent (BRAD) - Kent averaged 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game in a pair of road victories last week, shooting 50 percent from the field. After battling first-half foul trouble, she had all nine of her points in the second half of Friday’s 59-57 victory at Loyola on 4-of-6 shooting, also adding one assist and one steal against the Ramblers. Kent followed up that performance with her team-best seventh double-digit scoring effort of the season in the win at Valparaiso. She had 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals in the convincing 88-69 victory. She helped Bradley sweep a three-game MVC road swing for the first time in program history. In addition, Kent helped the Braves open Valley play with a 3-0 record for just the fourth time in school history and Bradley’s four-game win streak is the squad’s longest since 2011-12.
Maddy Monahan (DU) - Monahan helped Drake go 2-0 on its first MVC road trip … in the victory over SIU, Monahan scored nine points, nabbed a career-high three steals and handed out two assists … two of her steals led directly to layups for her and sparked Bulldogs’ defense … played 26 minutes in the victory … in her first season, averaging 3.1 assists per game and 5.6 points per game.
Ty Battle (INS) - Brought down a career-best 10 rebounds in Indiana State’s win over Evansville … Also dished out two assists and swiped one steal as ISU claimed its first conference win of the year.
Brice Calip (MSU) - Brice Calip averaged 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game last week, shooting 43 percent from the field in a team-high 30 minutes per contest. Calip filled the stat sheet Friday against Drake with 11 points, two boards, two assists, three blocks and three steals, becoming the first Lady Bear with three or more blocks and steals in a game since 2016 MVC Player of the Year Tyonna Snow. Sunday, Calip had four points, four boards, two assists and two steals in a win against UNI.
Nicole Konieczny (VALPO) - Scored a career-high 18 points on Sunday against Bradley, shattering her previous personal best of 13. Knocked down six field goals, three of which came from beyond the arc. Also dished out five assists and pulled down two rebounds. Chipped in six points and four assists in Friday’s win over Illinois State.