Albany’s Danielle Hutcheson (Phoenix, Ariz./Greenway) has been named this week’s Wilson Player of the Week, while freshman Jessica Smith (Butler, N.J./Butler) receives the Wilson Rookie of the Week award.
Hutcheson, a 6-4 center, averaged 21.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 3.0 spg on the week while shooting an impressive 73.1 percent (19-of-26) from the field. In Albany’s first-ever victory over New Hampshire, Hutcheson tallied a career-high 24 points with 11 rebounds, marking her fifth double-double of the season. She was 11-of-15 from the floor to pace the Great Danes over the Wildcats. At UMBC, Hutcheson was even better from the field (8-of-11) and scored 19 points with six boards. UA has won consecutive games for the second time this season and four of its last six.
Smith averaged 17.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.5 apg while connecting on 75.0 percent of her free throws (12-of-16). The 6-0 low-post threat started off the week with 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds in a victory over Northeastern. Against UMBC, she poured in a career- and game-high 23 points to go along with 14 boards and four assists. Stony Brook has won two straight for the first time this season.