NEWBA Names Weekly Award Winners For January 16

Jenn Shinall
Connecticut College
Senior • Guard • Redding, Conn.

Senior guard Jenn Shinall has earned the  NEWBA/PrestoSports Player of the Week Award after leading Connecticut College to a pair of key NESCAC wins over the weekend. Shinall racked up 21.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while knocking down 45.8% (11-24) of her shots from the field. The guard exploded for a career-best 30 points to lead the upstart Camels to a shocking 81-72 triumph over nationally-ranked Williams College on Saturday. She was nearly unstoppable in the contest, draining six shots from beyond the arc and 10 of her 12 free throws. One day earlier, Shinall amassed 13 points and nine boards in a 72-59 victory over Middlebury College. The Camels have gone 12-2 thus far this season.

Kirsten Morrison
University of Massachusetts Boston
First Year • Center • North Reading, Mass.

First year center Kirsten Morrison has earned the NEWBA Rookie of the Week Award after leading the University of Massachutts Boston to a 2-1 week with her outstanding play in the post. Morrison racked up 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while converting 48.9% (22-45) of her attempts from the floor for the Beacons. She was at her best on Saturday, when she erupted for 31 points and nine boards in a 68-55 triumph over Eastern Connecticut State University. The center finished with a double-double on 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 64-43 win over Plymouth State University on Tuesday. Two days later, she added 12 points and eight rebounds against Bridgewater State University.

• Kathleen King, Babson College (Sr, F, Framingham, Mass.) - King averaged a double-double on 18.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game to lead the nationally-ranked Beavers to a pair of NEWMAC wins. The forward was at her best on Saturday, when she recorded 22 points and 13 boards in a rematch of last year's NEWMAC Championship against Smith College. Babson came out on top 83-57.
• Shannon McCourt, Eastern Connecticut State University (Fy, F, New Fairfield, Conn.) - McCourt piled up 21.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in a 1-2 week for the Warriors. She posted double-doubles in all three contests, finishing with 22 points against UMass Dartmouth and Boston.
• Rachel Riley, Rhode Island College (Sr, F, Coventry, R.I.) - Riley guided the Anchorwomen to a perfect 3-0 week with her outstanding all-around play. In addition to collecting 12.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per outing, she also chipped in with seven blocked shots. The forward posted double-doubles in all three contests.
• Catherine O'Connell, Newbury College (Jr, C, Quincy, Mass.) - O'Connell enjoyed a monster week in the paint for the Nighthawks. The center piled up 20.0 points and 19.0 rebounds while posting three double-doubles. She was at her best on Saturday, when she exploded for 25 points and 22 boards against Elms College. Earlier in the week, she helped her team pick up wins over Bay Path College and Becker College. 
• Vanessa Powers, Castleton State College (Sr, F, Marshfield, Vt.) - Powers averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in a 3-0 week for the Spartans. The forward finished with a double-double on 21 points and 11 rebounds in a 64-58 triumph over New England College on Thursday. Over the course of the week, she shot 51.2% (21-41) from the field. 

• Husson University senior forward Brianna Hanscom reached 1,000 career points on January 7 against Colby-Sawyer College.