Women's Basketball Weekly Honors - Jan. 5
Kelly McCarthy
CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - WEEKLY REPORT (JAN. 5)
RICHMOND, Va. (January 5, 2015) – UNCW sophomore
Ryan Flowers was named the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week while Elon University’s
Malaya Johnson was named the CAA Rookie of the Week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Ryan Flowers • UNCW
Sophomore | Forward | Hickory, N.C./Millbrook
Sophomore Ryan Flowers averaged a double-double over three games, posting 13.3 rebounds and 11.7 points on 62.9 percent shooting. The forward had a pair of double-doubles on the week and hit the game-winning shot in the CAA opener. Flowers opened the week by tallying a season-high 18 rebounds while scoring 15 points at Florida Atlantic. She just missed a double-double at Stetson, finishing with eight points and nine boards. In the Seahawks’ victory over William & Mary, Flowers had 12 points, including the game-winning lay-up with 1.9 seconds left, and 13 rebounds in the 63-62 triumph.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
Malaya Johnson • Elon University
Freshman | Center | Mount Airy, N.C., North Surry
Freshman Malaya Johnson helped Elon to 3-0 week by averaging 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. The center shot 65.4 percent from the field and picked up six blocks, six steals and three assists. In a win over Furman, she posted her first career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 11 boards. Against Lenoir-Rhyne, Johnson led the team with 18 points, going 7-for-8 from the floor, while collecting two steals and three blocks, both career highs. Johnson helped the Phoenix to the 60-50 victory in their CAA debut at Delaware, by posting 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with two steals and two rebounds. This is the second CAA Rookie of the Week honor in the last three weeks for Johnson.
#CAAHoops – The Week that Was
The non-conference portion of the schedule came to a close while conference play heated up on January 4.
College of Charleston (2-10; 0-1 CAA): The Cougars finished non-conference play with a a 61-60 win over South Carolina Upstate. In its CAA opener, CofC fell at Hofstra, 78-53. Over two games,
Jackie Luna-Castro averaged 15.0 points while
Christy Hewatt put up 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds.
Delaware (5-7; 0-1 CAA): The Blue Hens closed out non-conference play with a 68-53 win over Rider. Delaware hosted Elon to begin CAA play but fell to the Phoenix, 60-50. It was just the third-ever loss in a conference season opener for Delaware.
Courtni Green averaged 14.5 points over two games and extended her double-digit scoring streak to 16 games while
Hannah Jardine averaged 10.5 rebounds and 9.0 points per game.
Drexel (7-5; 1-0 CAA): The Dragons closed out play at the Cavalier Classic with a 72-66 loss to Virginia. Rachel Pearson was recognized for her efforts as she was named to the All-Tournament Team. Drexel improved to 5-0 at home this season with a 58-35 win over Northeastern in its CAA opener. Carrie Alexander averaged 12.5 points for the week, including a career-high 16 points against the Huskies.
Elon (8-4; 1-0 CAA): The Phoenix went 3-0 on the week, including their first CAA win. Elon closed out non-conference play with wins over Furman and Lenoir-Rhyne before downing Delaware, 60-50, in their CAA opener. Rookie
Malaya Johnson led the Phoenix with 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on 65 percent shooting.
Hofstra (8-4; 1-0 CAA): The Pride dropped its non-conference finale at Virginia Tech, but rebounded with a 78-53 victory over College of Charleston to open CAA play. Junior guard
Jakelle King-Gilchrist averaged 13.0 points for the week, including a career-high with 19 points off the bench against the Cougars.
James Madison (10-2; 1-0 CAA): The Dukes almost came away with a win in their non-conference finale at Vanderbilt, but were edged 66-62. The defending CAA champions opened league play with a 67-66 victory over Towson thanks to a pair of clutch free throws by
Precious Hall. Transfer
Ashley Perez averaged 14.0 points per game for the Dukes last week, including 21 points against Vanderbilt. Junior point guard
Angela Mickens tallied 19 assists over the week while Hall extended her double-digit scoring streak to 21 games.
UNCW (5-7; 1-0 CAA): Returning from a nine-day break, the Seahawks posted a 1-2 record last week. After dropping a pair of road contests against Florida Atlantic and Stetson, the Seahawks claimed a victory in their CAA opener by edging William & Mary, 63-62, at Trask Coliseum. Sophomore forward
Ryan Flowers had an outstanding week for the Seahawks, averaging 11.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game and had the game-winner against William & Mary. Senior guard
Kelva Atkins had an impressive week, including a 37-point effort against Florida Atlantic.
Northeastern (3-8; 0-1 CAA): The Huskies, who have played eight of their last nine away from home, had a tough week, falling at Boston College and at Drexel. Sophomore center
Francesca Sally paced the Huskies by averaging 10.5 rebounds per game, including a season-high 14 against BC.
Towson (4-9; 0-1 CAA): The Tigers closed out non-conference play with a tough loss to George Washington. In its CAA opener, Towson nearly knocked off James Madison but was edged, 67-66. Redshirt senior forward
LaTorri Hines-Allen averaged 23.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game to lead the Tigers. Hines-Allen had a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds for her team and CAA leading sixth double-double of the year on Sunday
William & Mary (6-6; 0-1): The Tribe suffered a tough loss in their only game of the week, falling at UNCW, 63-62, on a last-second jumper. Sophomore
Kasey Curtis led a very balanced Tribe offensive attack with 14 points and six rebounds. Senior
Jazmen Boone was also in double-figures with 11 points.
CAA Championship Tickets: Tickets for the 2015 CAA Women's Basketball Championship, March 12-15, at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. are currently on sale at
www.caasports.com/tickets.