INDIANAPOLIS -- Valparaiso guard Shaquira Scott (Willmette, Ill.) has been named the Horizon League women’s basketball Player of the Week after leading the Crusaders to a home win over Indiana and Youngstown State guard Shar’Rae Davis (Grand Haven, Mich.) has been named the first-ever Newcomer of the Week after a nine-rebound, nine-assist effort in a win over Pittsburgh.
Scott, a sophomore who got off to a hot start to the 2010-11 season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury ten games in, posted a team-high 17 points in Valpo’s 64-52 win over the Hoosiers at the ARC. She shot 7-for-12 from the field -- including 1-for-2 from 3-point range -- for a 58.3 shooting percentage while also tallying a pair of rebounds, two assists and a block.
The win over Indiana was the first for the Crusaders since downing the visiting Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 6, 2008. Valpo never trailed in the game, delivering a win for head coach Tracey Dorow, who become just the second coach in school history to win her debut.
And speaking of debuts, Davis was stellar in her’s for the Penguins. The freshman grabbed nine rebounds and dished out nine assists against Pitt, becoming the first Youngstown State player to deliver nine dimes in a game in over three seasons.
Davis also recorded a pair of steals and one blocked shot in the game. Although she scored only four points, Davis was clutch when it counted, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 1:09 as the Penguins posted a 64-50 win over the host Panthers.
It was Youngstown State’s first win against a BCS team since 1997 and the first win against a current Big East team since 1991. Pittsburgh had beaten the Penguins by 52 points in the teams’ previous meeting, three years ago in Youngstown. With the win, YSU snapped a seven-game losing streak in season openers.
Both Scott and Davis return to action with a pair of games this week. Valpo hosts Purdue Calumet on Wednesday before traveling to IUPUI on Sunday and the Penguins play at Buffalo on Tuesday before hosting Bryant on Saturday.
Top Performers for the Week:
Brandi Brown, Youngstown State (Jr., F) - Brown posted game-highs with 16 points and 11 rebounds and tied a career-high with three assists.
Ashley Rodriguez, Milwaukee (Jr., G) - Rodriguez led Milwaukee with 18 points and five assists in a season-opening win against Chicago State. Factoring in a loss to Wisconson, she shot 70 percent from behind the arc (7-for-10) and hit all four free throw attempts.
Audrey Matteson, Detroit (So., G) - In her first career start, Matteson posted carrer-highs with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists, playing all 40 minutes of the Titans’ season-opening loss to Michigan.
Shalonda Winton, Cleveland State (Sr., F) - Williams picked up her first double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Vikings’ season-opening win over South Dakota, moving the 11th on the Cleveland State all-time scoring list with 1,203 career points.
Kim Demmings, Wright State (So., G) - Demmings had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists in the Raiders’ season-opening loss, scoring in double figures for the 24th straight game.
Simone Law, Loyola (So., F) - Law posted 11 points and nine rebounds in each of the Ramblers’ first two games, adding three total steals and an assist.
Top Newcomers for the Week:
Avyanna Young, Milwaukee (Fr., F) - Young came off the bench to average 7.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg, including a team-high eight boards in the Panthers’ season-opening win over Chicago State.
Tayler Stanton, Wright State (So., F) - A transfer from Kent State, Stanton posted 10 points and seven rebounds in her Raiders debut.
Women’s Basketball Player of the Week:
Nov. 12: Shaquira Scott, Valparaiso
Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week:
Nov. 12: Shar’Rae Davis, Youngstown State
Tags: Horizon League - Women's Basketball · Valparaiso - Women's Basketball · Youngstown State - Women's Basketball
