The COVID bug is here to stay. And because of that bug, there were only two games to recap over the weekend. We recap them here along with naming our first Player and Newcomer of the Week to start 2022. Hopefully this week, we get a our money’s worth of games as there are some big matchups. Perhaps the biggest matchup takes place in Nacogdoches between SFA and ACU. Another intriguing matchup is UTRGV at Grand Canyon. Lopes guard Amara Graham faces her former team for the first time.
But, here is the rapid recap from a pair of Saturday contests.
Abilene Christian 71, Dixie State 53
This game was a lot closer than the final score indicates. In fact, it was an 8-point Wildcat lead after three quarters. However, ACU used a 20-10 fourth quarter to pull away from the Trailblazers. Jamie Bonnarens continued her stellar start to the WAC campaign with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Bonnarens shot 7-14 from the field and 3-7 from deep. The two teams combined to hit 24 3-pointers. ACU made 13 and the Trailblazers another 11. Breauna Gillen had 16 points and 6 assists to lead Dixie State.
It was an opening weekend sweep for the Wildcats and head coach Julie Goodenough.
Tarleton State 61, Utah Valley 48
In Wisdom Gymnasium, the Texans used a 26-11 fourth quarter to pull away from Utah Valley and earn a weekend split. Iyana Dorsey had 20 points and was a perfect 12-12 on free throws in the win for Tarleton State. Malaya Kendrick added 13 points on 5-10 from the field for the victors. The Wolverines got a career day from Madison Grange with 19 points on 6-10 shooting in defeat.
Player of the Week
Jamie Bonnarens – Grad, G, Abilene Christian
The Wildcats made a big impression with two wins against Utah Valley and Dixie State led by Bonnarens, a grad transfer from Colorado State, who averaged 18.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg. She was 13-28 from the field while adding 21 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
Newcomer of the Week
Bella Earle – Fr, G, Abilene Christian
Earle was clutch on Sunday with a couple of key 3-pointers against Dixie State. She was 5-12 from the floor and 2-5 beyond the arc with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Week Ahead…
Thursday, January 6, 2022:
Chicago State @ Seattle
Abilene Christian @ Stephen F. Austin
Tarleton State @ Sam Houston State
UTRGV @ Grand Canyon
Lamar @ New Mexico State
Saturday, January 8, 2022:
Tarleton State @ Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian @ Sam Houston State
Chicago State @ CBU
Lamar @ GCU
UTRGV @ New Mexico State
***All games on ESPN+
Makeup Games Announced:
We hope you are staying healthy and well in these times. There are a few makeup dates to announce of games postponed due to COVID-19 concerns…
CBU @ Seattle U>>>Jan 17th (Monday) 2pm PST
Tarleton State @ Sam Houston State>>>Jan 17th (Monday) 2pm CST
New Mexico State @ Chicago State>>>Jan 25th (Tuesday) 12pm CST
Kellogg reaches 400 wins:
Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg recently achieved a career milestone in recording win No. 400 of his illustrious career. He accomplished the feat last Thursday against UTRGV in Edinburg.
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