By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a solid performance this week, including two 20+ point games including a tie for a career-high 31-point game, Samaria Howard has been named the adidas® co-OVC Player of the Week on Jan. 26.
Howard led the Golden Eagles in scoring for both of Tech's games this past week. She bucketed 9-of-19 from the field to drop 23 points against Tennessee State and then followed it up by connecting on 11-of-20 from the floor for an impressive 31 points at Eastern Kentucky.
Over the week's two games, she shot 51.3 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from the 3-point range, and 85.7 percent from the line, while giving up just five turnovers over the two performances.
Howard continues to serve as a pivotal player on the Golden Eagle squad. Currently, she leads Tech in scoring, averaging 20.4 points per game, which ranks her second in the OVC and 22nd in the NCAA. Howard also stands as Tech's second leading rebounder, averaging 5.5 boards per game.
adidas® OVC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – Jan. 26
CO-PLAYER
Tiasha Gray, G • Sr., 5-8 • Clarksville, Tenn. • Austin Peay
Gray handed out a program-record 13 assists at Morehead State and added 26 points, six steals and five rebounds in APSU's first road win of the season. She made 42 percent of her shots against the Eagles and went 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. She followed that up with 17 points and six assists against Eastern Illinois. She shot 43.8 percent from the floor to go with three steals and four rebounds.
Samaria Howard, G • Sr., 5-7 • Jacksonville, Fla. • Tennessee Tech
Howard recorded 27.0 points per game last week, including a career-high 31 points in the win over Eastern Kentucky. She shot 51.3 percent from the floor over the two games. She led the team in scoring in both games last week. Howard has scored in double figures in every one of Tech's games this season.
Others Nominated: Sally McCabe, Belmont; Phylicia Johnson, Eastern Illinois; Jalen O'Bannon, Eastern Kentucky; Erin Bollman, Southeast Missouri; Shronda Butts, I'mani Davis, Tennessee State; Haley Howard, UT Martin
NEWCOMER
Jalen O'Bannon, F • Jr., 6-1 • Memphis, Tenn. • Eastern Kentucky
O'Bannon registered 53 points and 19 rebounds as Eastern Kentucky went 2-0 last week. She had 25 points and 12 rebounds against Murray State for her ninth double-double of the season. She shot 9-of-13 from the field and dished out two assists against the Racers. She followed that up with 28 points and seven boards versus Tennessee Tech, shooting 92 percent from the field.
Others Nominated: Kylee Smith, Belmont; Lauren White, SIUE; Shy Copney, UT Martin
FRESHMAN
Imani Johnson, F • R-Fr. 6-0 • Lee's Summit, Mo. • Southeast Missouri
Johnson began the week with 12 points at SIUE. She followed that up with an 18-point performance against UT Martin to lead the Redhawks. She shot 40 percent from the field, including draining three three-pointers. From the line, Johnson was 9-of-10. She now has 12 double-digit point performances this season.
Others Nominated: Darby Maggard, Belmont
(Report from OVCsports.com)
