BOSTON - As teams approach the midway mark of conference play, Albany has taken over sole possession of first-place in America East women's basketball and stands as the lone unbeaten team at 6-0. Maine sits in second with just one loss at 5-1 after a 2-0 week, followed by Stony Brook at 5-2. Binghamton and Hartford have found their stride as the Bearcats won their third-straight road game for the first time since 2010-11 and the Hawks have won three of their last four.
Here are the week 11 award winners:
Player of the Week
Liz Wood, Maine, Sr., F, Catlett, Va.
- Averaged 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.5 assists per game in a 2-0 week for the Black Bears.
- Also shot 73.9% from the field.
- Scored a season-high 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting along with seven rebounds, three steals in and two assists in a win over New Hampshire.
- Hit 8-of-12 from the field, scoring 20 points and pulling down seven boards in a win over Stony Brook. Added four steals and three assists in the game.
Rookie of the Week
Davion Wingate, Stony Brook, Fr., G, Atlanta, Ga.
- Averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in a 1-2 week for the Seawolves.
- Notched 10 points and nine assists in a road loss to first-place Albany.
- Totaled 13 points in a loss to Maine.
- Earns her second Rookie of the Week honor.
Notes
- Three America East teams are featured in the Mid-Major Top-25 released on Jan. 12, including Albany (15), Maine (RV) and Stony Brook (RV).
- Albany senior Shereesha Richards and Maine senior Liz Wood have been named two of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.
- Binghamton topped UMass Lowell, 75-70, earning its fourth America East victory of the year which matches the team’s total from the last two seasons combined. Additionally, the Bearcats have won three-straight road games for the first time since 2010-11.
- According to the latest College Basketball RPI report released on Jan. 18, the America East remained at #15. Albany (44), Maine (92) and Stony Brook (100) are all in top 100. It's the first time the league has three in top 100 since March, 18, 2013. Albany's RPI is the best this late in the season since Hartford closed 2009-10 with an RPI of 34.
- Darby Lee scored 23 points on 9-11 shooting as Hartford beat UNH to win back-to-back games for the first time since opening the season 2-0.
- Maine won its 14th-straight home game, edging past Stony Brook 55-52 to take sole possession of second place.
- Albany’s Zakiya Saunders dished out 13 assists vs. Stony Brook, the most for an America East player since Boston U’s Christine Kinneary had 14 vs. Northeastern on Nov. 19, 2007. Saunders has five 10+ assist games this year, which matches the most in a single-season for any America East player as far back as the statistics go (1999-2000).
- Albany senior Shereesha Richards needs 63 more rebounds to become the fourth player in America East history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She ranks 9th all-time on the career scoring list with 2,093 points.
- The America East is the only non-Power 5 Conference with six teams in the top-100 of scoring defense (Maine-11, Albany-23, Stony Brook-62, Binghamton-75, UMBC-82, Hartford-96).
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 16 - Player of the Week: Deanna Mayza, Hartford; Rookie of the Week: Rebecca Carmody, Binghamton
Nov. 23 - Player of the Week: Imani Tate, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Nov. 30 - Player of the Week: Sigi Koizar, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Dec. 7 - Player of the Week: Shereesha Richards, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Dec. 14 - Player of the Week: Imani Tate, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Dec. 21 - Player of the Week: Shereesha Richards, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Dec. 28 - Player of the Week: Andreana Thomas, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Jan. 4 - Player of the Week: Shereesha Richards, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Ogechi Anyagaligbo, Stony Brook
Jan. 11 - Player of the Week: Shereesha Richards, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Davion Wingate, Stony Brook
Jan. 18 - Player of the Week: Shereesha Richards, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Rebecca Carmody, Binghamton
Jan. 25 - Player of the Week: Liz Wood, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Davion Wingate, Stony Brook