By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a stellar performance this past week including notching her 1,000th career point, Samaria Howard has been named the adidas® OVC Player of the Week on Feb. 23 making this her third title of the season.
Howard posted 47 points (23.5 per game) and nine rebounds over Tech's two games this past week. She posted a game-high 29 points with eight rebounds and three assists in the game against Morehead State. Howard shot 50 percent from the field and three-point range on the weekend and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe.
Howards continues to serve as Tech's key offensive player averaging 20.9 points and 5.3 boards per game on the season. Her 20.9 points per game rank her 22nd in the NCAA while her 585 total points on the season rank her eighth, her 149 made free throws rank her ninth, and her 207 made field goals rank her 13th. In the OVC, Howard ranks second in scoring and eighth in free throw percentage.
adidas® OVC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – Feb. 23
PLAYER
Samaria Howard, G • Sr., 5-7 • Jacksonville, Fla. • Tennessee Tech
Howard notched her 1,000th career point against Morehead State. She led the team in s games both of Tennessee Tech, netting a game-high 29 versus the Eagles and a team-best 18 Belmont. She shot 50 percent from the floor and three-point range while shooting 85.7 percent from the line.
Others Nominated: Tiasha Gray, Austin Peay; Kylee Smith, Belmont; Jalisha Smith, Eastern Illinois; Michaela Hunter, Eastern Kentucky; Ke'Shunan James, Murray State; Bri Mitchell, Southeast Missouri; Donshel Beck, SIUE; I'mani Davis, Tennessee State; Haley Howard, UT Martin
NEWCOMER
Jalen O'Bannon, F • Jr., 6-1 • Memphis, Tenn. • Eastern Kentucky
O'Bannon finished two points shy of a career-high with 28 points at Jacksonville State on 10-of-11 shooting from the free throw line and 9-of-16 from the floor. Against Morehead State, she added nine points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists and one block.
Others Nominated: Kylee Smith, Belmont; Brianna McQueen, Morehead State; Lindsey Jennings, Tennessee Tech; Shy Copney, UT Martin
FRESHMAN
Myah Taylor, G • 5-10, Fr. • Dyersburg, Tenn. • UT Martin
Taylor recorded four three-pointers off the bench against Belmont to finish with 12 points. She led the team with 19 points while shooting 80 percent from the floor versus SIUE. Taylor also tallied six rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal versus the Cougars. Taylor has scored in double figures in five straight games, the longest such streak of the season.
Others Nominated: Darby Maggard, Belmont; Miranda Crockett, Morehead State; Abria Gulledge, Murray State; I'mani Johnson, Southeast Missouri
