MELBOURNE, Fla. – For the second time this season, junior-guard
Hailey Conley has been recognized by the SSC for her strong play on the court. After winning the SSC Player of the on Dec. 23, Conley has now captured her first career SSC Defensive Player of the Week award, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon. On the week, NSU split it's two home games, defeating Lynn (65-59) and dropping the ESPN 3 televised match to Florida Southern (62-71).
In the victory against Lynn, Conley set a new career-high with 13 rebounds (12 defensive), adding 10 points, four assists, three steals and her first block of the season in 29 minutes of action. For Conley, this marked the fifth time this season she has recorded double-digit rebound totals, as her previous career-high was 12 against Florida Southern earlier this year on Jan. 4.
After going 21 games without a block to start the 2019-20 campaign, Conley would record her second in as many games against Florida Southern, while finishing with 16 points, a team-high eight rebounds (6 defensive) and two steals. On the season, Conley has come up with two or more steals in a game 10 times.
On the week, the junior-guard compiled 26 points, 21 rebounds (18 defensive), five assists, five steals and two blocks.
Conley's exceptional defensive play this season, especially at the guard position, could have easily warranted her additional Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier in the season. The North Franklin, Conn. native leads the Sharks in total rebounding, pulling down 148 boards on the year, averaging 6.4 per contest (good for ninth in the SSC) and is also tops on the team in steals (30). On the offensive side, Conley ranks eighth in the SSC in points per game (14.3) and second in 3-pointers made (63).
"Hailey has been working very hard all season and her production on both ends of the floor is reflective of the time and effort she has given for the betterment of the team, said head coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry. This is well-deserved recognition for her toughness to push out of her comfort zone, especially for her dominant rebounding."
CLICK HERE to view the entire weekly awards across the SSC.
The Sharks will head to West Palm Beach on Wednesday night to begin a two-game road trip starting at Palm Beach Atlantic and finishing at Florida Tech. Game time on Wednesday is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Rubin Arena.
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