NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 6, 2018—Bethune-Cookman junior Angel Golden and South Carolina State graduate student Bryeasha Blair were selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week, the conference office announced today. Howard’s Jayla Thornton earned Rookie of the Week honors, while Savannah State freshman Alexxus Sowell and Coppin State sophomore Chance Graham were named Co-Defensive Players of the Week.
 
Golden (G, 5-8, Jr., Tampa, Fla.) was key in helping Bethune-Cookman remain unbeaten in MEAC play this past week, as the Wildcats posted wins over Coppin State and Norfolk State. After dropping 17 points in the Coppin State contest – to go along with three steals and three rebounds – Golden turned in a 20-point, four-rebound, three-assist performance against Norfolk State – a game in which she hit four 3-pointers. For the week, she was a combined 14-for-31 (.452) from the floor and went 7-for-16 (.438) from 3-point range.
 
Blair (G, 5-5, Gr., Chicago, Ill.) averaged 22.0 points per game this past week, helping South Carolina State to a pair of conference wins. She opened the week with a 27-point performance against Savannah State, a game in which she hit three 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and five steals. Against Coppin State, her 17 points and seven rebounds helped the Lady Bulldogs erase a 19-point deficit and secure the win in overtime.
 
Thornton (G, 5-9, Fr., Newark, N.J.) averaged 14.5 points per game as Howard won games over Florida A&M and Morgan State this past week, shooting a combined 9-for-21 (.429) from the floor. After turning in a 14-point performance, going 4-for-9 from the floor and grabbing a pair of steals, in a win over Florida A&M, Thornton dropped a career-high 15 points in a road win over Morgan State.
 
Sowell (C, 6-3, Fr., Lancaster, S.C.) averaged 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots per game this past week, as Savannah State went 2-1. After blocking a career-high seven shots in a road win over Florida A&M, Sowell turned in a 13-rebound, six-block performance against South Carolina State. She also had her first career double-double in the South Carolina State contest, thanks to a career high-tying 11 points.
 
Graham (F, 5-11, So., Upper Marlboro, Md.) averaged 14.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this past week. She had 17 rebounds each in games against Hampton and Bethune-Cookman, before grabbing 10 more boards at South Carolina State. She also had two blocks and three steals in the South Carolina State game, after grabbing a pair of steals against Bethune-Cookman. Graham had 31 rebounds on the defensive end alone during the week.
 
Other Top Performers
Ashanti Hunt (B-CU) had six rebounds and four steals against Coppin State.
 
Amaya Scott (B-CU) had nine points and eight rebounds against Coppin State.
 
Maraiyah Smith (CSU) had 15 points and four assists at South Carolina State.
 
Shakeyrra Morrison (FAMU) had 19 points and 17 rebounds against Howard.
 
Jephany Brown (HAM) recorded a double-double (16 points, 14 rebounds) against Coppin State, while also blocking three shots and grabbing four steals.
 
Monnazjea Finney-Smith (HAM) averaged 13.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in three wins for Hampton this past week.
 
Sarah Edmond (HOW) scored 20 points and dished out five assists in a win over Florida A&M.
 
Jayla Myles (HOW) had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks against Morgan State.
 
Bairesha Gill-Miles (MDES) had 10 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Florida A&M.
 
Adre’onia Coleman (MSU) had 15 points and 10 rebounds against Howard.
 
Lexus Spears (MSU) dropped 18 points and grabbed six rebounds in a road win over Norfolk State.
 
Alexus Lessears (NCAT) scored 12 points each in games against Hampton and Delaware State.
 
Kayla Roberts (NSU) scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Bethune-Cookman.
 
Kaylee Allen (SSU) had 26 points each in games against Florida A&M and South Carolina State.