MELBOURNE, Fla. – For the first time since the Sunshine State Conference added Defensive Player of the Week in 2015-16, the Nova Southeastern women's basketball team has swept the Player of the Week Awards, as both
Hailey Conley and
Jordan Tully were recognized as the SSC Player and Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office Monday afternoon.
This marks the third honor the Sharks have received this season after Claire McMahon took home the SSC Defensive Player of the Week Award on Dec. 2. For both Conley and Tully, this marks the first player of the week award from the conference all-time in their career as a Shark. The recognition was a testament to the strong play that has resulted in four straight victories for NSU.
"We had two hard-fought wins this week," said head coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry. "Everyone stepped up throughout the weekend but I'm happy Jordan and Hailey have been recognized for their efforts. Jordan was very effective on both ends of the floor and especially effective as a defensive stopper around the rim. Hailey stepped up big (as she has in several games this season), to be an offensive force down the stretch against Ohio Dominican."
Conley followed up a career-high 24 points in a win over Rollins last Saturday by scoring a combined 41 points in two non-conference victories for the Sharks this week, resetting a new career-high with 30 points in the win over Findlay. The North Franklin, Conn. native notched half of her 30 points in the fourth quarter, making all four of her field goal attempts, including a trio of 3-pointers on route to a 24 point output in the second half.
In the two games, Conley scored 41 points by shooting 42 percent from the field (13-31), 80 percent from the free-throw line (4-5) and 42 percent from behind the arc (11-26). In addition, the junior guard continues to contribute in multiple categories tallying 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals on a team-high 62 minutes played in the Holiday Classic and is now averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Conley is the first to receive the SSC Player of the Week honor this season for the Sharks and is just the 10th player in NSU program history to reach 30 points in a game, while being only one of four players to make eight or more threes in a game. The Sharks' sharpshooter now tops the SSC in 3-point field goals made with 35, four more than Barry's Harriet Swindells who sits second in the conference. Conley has really stepped up for the Sharks of late, scoring in double-figures in each of the past three games, while averaging 21.6 points in that span.
Tully, meanwhile, has been a force on both ends of the floor all season for the Sharks, averaging 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. The product of Winnipeg, Manitoba showed off stellar defensive efforts for NSU in both victories this week at the Shark Holiday Classic. The Canadian had a career-high four blocks against Findlay, finishing with six blocks and three steals in the two wins, including numerous well contested shots in the paint.
Tully helped aid the Sharks in limiting Ohio Dominican and Findlay offensively, as both teams fell well short of their season averages for points per game, with the Panthers 11 points behind their average output, while the Oilers were nine shy of their typical mark in points scored. Tully also combined for 28 points and 8 defensive rebounds on the week, as the senior forward now leads the SSC in blocks (15) and average blocks per game (1.5).
"Our team had a goal to go 4-0 in the month of December and I'm proud of them for accomplishing their goal," added Freeland-Curry.
The Sharks will return to action following the winter break, playing their first of 17 straight Sunshine State Conference opponents when they host the Eckerd Tritons in the Rick Case Arena on Thursday, January 2 at 5:30 p.m. NSU has won two straight SSC matchups and will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory.
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