BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Player Of the Week
Shadeen Samuels, Seton Hall, Jr., F
Samuels picks up her second award in three weeks after leading the BIG EAST with a 27.5 scoring average while finishing second in rebounding at 12.5 per game. The junior posted game highs of 27 points and 16 rebounds in the Pirates’ four-point setback on Friday to Villanova, before going for a game-high 28 points in Sunday’s win over Georgetown. She added nine rebounds against the Hoyas. Samuels was clutch from the charity stripe, making 16-of-18 attempts, while adding 2.5 steals per game.
BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Freshman Of the Week
Emily Esposito, Villanova, R-Fr., G
Esposito picks up Villanova’s first BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolade since Jan. 23, 2016 (Mary Gedaka) after averaging 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and .563 shooting in a 2-0 road swing for the Wildcats. The redshirt freshman scored 13 points in road victories at Seton Hall and St. John’s this week, making 4-of-7 attempts from deep while committing zero turnovers. She came off the bench in both contests.
BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Tiana England, St. John’s, R-So., G
England led the Red Storm to a 1-1 weekend, highlighted by an 18-point afternoon against Villanova on Sunday. She made 7-of-9 attempts from the field and added two assists, two steals and three rebounds.
Jovana Nogic, Providence, Sr., G
In the Friars’ lone game of the week, Nogic scored 18 points, grabbed three rebounds and recorded three steals as Providence won at Creighton, marking its third straight victory.
Natisha Hiedeman, Marquette, Sr., G
Hiedeman helped keep the Golden Eagles unbeaten in BIG EAST play after averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in wins at Xavier and -/RV Butler. She made 9-of-14 from deep for a 64.3-percent clip.
Mary Gedaka, Villanova, Jr., F
Gedaka was impressive from the floor in a 2-0 week for the Wildcats, making 18-of-21 attempts from the field to average 21.5 points. She added 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in wins at Seton Hall and St. John’s.
Chante Stonewall, DePaul, Jr., F
Stonewall led the Blue Demons to a 2-0 road swing, averaging 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals in victories at -/RV Butler and Xavier. She shot .517 from the field and .538 from deep, recording her fourth double-double of the season at Xavier in Sunday’s overtime win.