MAC WBB Co-Player of the Week
Sophia Wiard, Toledo
Guard, Sophomore, Muskegon, Mich
Sophomore Sophia Wiard averaged a squad-best 28.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, a squad-best 5.0 assists, a team-high 2.0 blocks and a squad-best 4.5 steals in two games this past week. Wiard shot an impressive 55.0 percent (22-of-40) from the field, including a sizzling 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from three-point land, and 80.0 percent (4-of-5) from the charity stripe in a team-high 37:04 minutes. Wiard, one of three Rockets to score in double figures in both games, began the week by tying the school's single-game scoring record with 42 points at Northern Illinois in Thursday's MAC opener. The 2020-21 team captain matched the record previously set by Kim Sekulski, who scored 42 points against arch-rival Bowling Green on Feb. 20, 1991. Wiard shot a sensational 16-of-25 from the field against the Huskies, including a blistering 7-of-10 from the three-point line, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Along with her offensive explosion, the Muskegon, Mich. native registered five rebounds, a game-high five assists, a contest-tying best three steals and two blocks. Three days later against Kent State, Wiard tallied a team-high 14 points, three caroms, a squad-best five dimes, two rejections and a career-best six thefts in a collegiate-best 37:44 minutes. Wiard has now scored at least 10 points in all four games this year.
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo
Guard, Sophomore, Rochester, NY (Edison Tech)
Sophomore guard Dyaisha Fair put on a show, recording the program's first triple-double in nearly 20 years, to lead the Bulls to an 85-77 come-from-behind win over Akron to open conference play on Sunday at Alumni Arena. The Rochester, NY native scored a game-high 28 points, 25 of them coming in the second half, to go with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and a block. She was also an efficient 15-of-19 from the charity stripe. Fair currently leads the Bulls in scoring (21.5 ppg), rebounds (7.4) and assists (6.0) per game while shooting just over 78% from the free throw line.
Other Nominees
Reilly Jacobson, Western Michigan
Forward, Redshirt senior, Waukee, Iowa (Waukee)
Starting both games for the Broncos this past week, senior forward Reilly Jacobson averaged 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor. Jacobson was also 2-for-2 from long distance during the week and had four assists and two steals. Against in-state rival Central Michigan, Jacobson posted six points and four rebounds to go along with one steal and four assists. She followed up that performance with a 16-point, 8 rebound outing at Valparaiso on Saturday. Jacobson was 5-of-10 from the field against Valparaiso and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. On the year, Jacobson leads the Broncos in points per game (15.3) and rebounds per game (6.3).
Jordyn Dawson, Akron
Forward, Sr., Huntington, W.Va.
Akron senior Jordyn Dawson led three Zips scoring in double figures with a 22-point and eight-rebound performance at Buffalo in the league opener for both schools on Sunday.
Erica Johnson, Ohio
Guard, RS Junior, Mansfield, Ohio (Mansfield, Ohio)
Redshirt junior Erica Johnson scored 29 points while knocking down six threes in Ohio's game at Kent State. Johnson was 9-of-11 from the free throw line while adding five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Johnson now has 24 games with 20 points or more in her career.
Molly Davis, Central Michigan
Guard, Sophomore, Midland, Mich. (Dow)
Central Michigan sophomore guard Molly Davis put together an impressive week as the Chippewas came away with a pair of home victories over Western Michigan and Cincinnati. The Midland, Mich., native paced the CMU offense averaging 23 points over the two-game stretch while shooting 58.6 percent (17-of-29) from the floor and percent (6-of-12) from behind the arc. In Wednesday's 82-71 conference win over the Broncos, Davis posted a team-high 21 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds. In Saturday's 79-62 non-conference victory over the Bearcats, she finished with a team-best 25 points shooting 8-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-6 from distance while bringing down 7 boards and dishing out five assists. On the season, Davis leads the team and ranks No.3 in the MAC in scoring averaging 23.3 points per contest.
Nila Blackford, Kent State
Forward, Sophomore, Louisville, Ky. (Dupont Manual)
Nila Blackford led Kent State to a 2-0 conference record with double-doubles in the team’s final two games of the week. Blackford totaled 21 points and 15 rebounds during Sunday’s victory at Toledo for the Golden Flashes’ first 20-15 performance in more than 13 years. She averaged 15.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game over three games for the week.
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Guard, Freshman, Cincinnati, Ohio (Mercy McAuley)
Bowling Green freshman guard Lexi Fleming had a team-high 18.0 points per game last week, as the Falcons split a pair of games to move to 4-1 on the young season. Fleming had 21 points in BGSU’s 71-64 win over Eastern Michigan, helping the Falcons to a win in the MAC opener for the first time in five years. It also marked BGSU’s first 4-0 start to a season in seven years. Fleming went 8-of-12 (.667) from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, vs. the Eagles, and surpassed the 20-point plateau for the third time in as many home games. Fleming then tied for team honors with 15 points, adding three assists and three steals, as the Falcons suffered a narrow 79-73 loss on the road at Purdue. She has scored in double figures in all five games this year to date. On the year, Fleming leads the Falcons in scoring, with 18.6 points per game, and she is second in both assists (2.4 apg) and steals (2.2 spg) and tied for second in three-pointers made (9). She has a team-best assist/turnover ratio of 2.00.
Chelby Koker, NIU
Guard, Sophomore, Racine, Wis. (Shoreland Lutheran)
Koker averaged a double-double of 18.5 points and 11 rebounds per game this week against Toledo and Bradley. The sophomore guard recorded her first career double-double last Thursday night against Toledo with 23 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. She had 16 points in the second half alone to get the Huskies back in the game against the Rockets. On Sunday, Koker flirted with a quadruple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and career-highs of seven assists and six steals. Through five games this season Koker leads NIU in scoring (19.8 ppg), rebounding (7.8 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg) and is also shooting 95.8% at the foul line.
Peyton Scott, Miami
Guard, Sophomore, LYNCHBURG, OHIO (LYNCHBURG-CLAY)
Sophomore Peyton Scott averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. She had 22 points and six rebounds in a loss at Ohio State. She also had 14 points, four rebounds and five assists in a win over Valpo.
