Demmings Named Player of the Week, Kraker Earns Freshman Honors
INDIANAPOLIS -- Wright State guard Kim Demmings (Richmond, Ind.) has been named the Horizon League women’s basketball Player of the Week after leading the Raiders to a season-opening win at Southern Illinois and Green Bay forward Mehryn Kraker (West Allis, Wis.) has been named Freshman of the Week after a 13 point, five rebound effort in Green Bay’s win over Northern Illinois.
Demmings, who was named the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year in voting of the League’s coaches, SIDs and media, made sure her Wright State team got off to a good start in the 2013-14 season by leading the Raiders to a come-from-behind win at Southern Illinois.
WSU trailed 25-14 in the first half, but went into the break with a 28-27 lead after ending the half on a 14-2 run. Demmings scored all eight of her first half points during that run.
In the second half, Demmings scored 23 of Wright State’s 39 points as the Raiders never trailed again in winning, 67-64.
The 31 point effort was the most of any Horizon League player in the opening weekend of the season and was the fifth 30 points or more effort of Demmings' career.
Wright State has three home games on top for the week, starting with Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday at the Nutter Center.
Kraker earned a starting spot in her first collegiate game after missing all of last season with an injury. The freshman forward responded with a game-high 13 points, while also pulling down five rebounds, passing out two assists and blocking two shots in Green Bay’s 78-44 win over Northern Illinois. The two blocks were also a game-high.
Green Bay hits the road for the first time this season, heading to St. Bonaventure for a Friday night contest before ending the week at Duquesne on Sunday.
Top Performers for the Week:
Ruvanna Campbell, UIC (So., F) - Campbell had a career-high 21 points in her Flames debut Friday night against St. Xavier. She also had six rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the contest. On Sunday, she recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds at Northwestern.
Ellisha Crosby, Detroit (Jr., G) - Crosby, playing in her first collegiate game in two years, had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. She also led the team with three steals.
Kiersten Green, Cleveland State (Jr., G) - Green posted a career-high with 28 points in the Vikings’ season-opener at Butler. She also notched a career-high five three-pointers in the contest and also had a career-high two blocks.
Olivia Nash, Oakland (So., F) - Nash posted her ninth career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in Oakland’s season-opening contest at Indiana.
Breannah Ranger, Green Bay (Sr., F) - Ranger posted a double-double in her first career start, scoring 12 points and recording 10 rebounds in GB’s win over Northern Illinois, 78-44.
Heidi Schlegel, Youngstown State (Jr., F) - Schlegel scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds in YSU’s home-opener versus VCU. She was 10-of-22 from the field and 7-of-8 from the foul line. Her 27 points were the most in a YSU season-opener since the 2006-07 season.
Top Freshman for the Week:
Melita Emanuel-Carr, UIC (Fr., G) - Emanuel-Carr had 15 points, three assists and three steals in her collegiate debut on Friday. She posted her second straight double-digit effort with 10 points at Northwestern.
Minisha Frederick-Childress, Detroit (Fr., G) - Led all four Detroit freshman that saw action in the season-opener with six points and two assists.
Jenna Hirsch, Youngstown State (Fr., G) - Hirsch had four assists and two rebounds in her collegiate debut.
Women’s Basketball Player of the Week:
Nov. 11: Kim Demmings, Wright State
Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Week:
Nov. 11: Mehryn Kraker, Green Bay
