MEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Sheppard earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Ben Sheppard was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals in a pair of wins for the Bruins.
The Atlanta, Ga., native made 9-of-15 field goals overall for a career-best 21 points, adding four boards and two assists in a victory against Murray State. The sophomore was a big part of limiting Racers guard Tevin Brown to 2-of-8 shooting and six total points as well.
Sheppard tied his career-high with 21 points two days later at UT Martin, hitting 9-of-14 shots from the field with three 3-pointers. He posted seven boards and six steals versus the Skyhawks and is averaging 9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds for the 10-1 Bruins.
2020-21 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
December 9 – Tavon King, Cumberland University
December 15 – Luke Smith, Belmont
December 22 – Devin Whitfield, Lincoln Memorial
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Hayes garners TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Anastasia Hayes was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 28.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two victories against Florida Atlantic.
The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native collected 34 points, seven boards and four assists in Friday’s win, hitting 14-of-26 shots overall. The Blue Raiders outscored the Owls, 50-28, in the final 20 minutes to overcome a halftime deficit. Hayes recorded 19 of her 34 points in the first half to keep her team in the game.
The redshirt junior netted 22 points with four more assists the following day versus FAU, connecting on 8-of-18 shots. Middle Tennessee trailed by 10 with five minutes remaining but two free throws from Hayes with just under a minute to play knotted the contest at 64. She then delivered a pass to Deja Cage for a layup with 0.9 seconds left for the winning basket.
Hayes is averaging 28.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in seven contests this season.
2020-21 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
December 9 – Allissa Mulaski, Bryan College
December 15 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
December 22 – Eboni Williams, Chattanooga