ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Gift Uchenna of the Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season, as announced by the league on Monday.
Uchenna scored 21 points and had 21 rebounds, 11 offensive rebounds, and one block against Valparaiso on Sunday to earn the honor.
The junior’s 21 rebounds are tied for the second most a Saluki has had in a game in program history and are the most since Dyana Pierre posted 21 on Nov. 21, 2015, against Tennessee State.
This was Uchenna’s third consecutive double-double and sixth total on the year. The Ebonyi State, Nigeria native is now second in the NCAA in rebounding, averaging 12.6 rebounds-per-game, and first in offensive rebounds-per-game (6.0). Uchenna’s six double doubles are tied for 17th in the country.
Uchenna was also named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Nov. 18.
