Monday, January 6, 2020

PORTLAND, Ore. – One exploded for a big scoring performance to extend a big winning streak. The other provided a pair of consistent performances to re-start conference play to earn the GNAC’s first Player of the Week awards for 2020.

Seattle Pacific freshman forward Shaw Anderson was named the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he finished with 44 points, 15 rebounds and three assists to lead the Falcons to two wins and extend the team’s winning streak to eight games. Anderson’s week was punctuated by a 33-point performance in Saturday’s 86-68 win over Alaska, helping to hand the Nanooks their first GNAC loss of the season. He connected on 12 of 16 from the field, 4 of 5 from three-point range and 5 of 6 from the free throw line as he also finished with nine rebounds and three assists.

Anderson opened the week with 11 points and six rebounds in Thursday’s 83-76 win over Alaska Anchorage. For the week, Anderson shot 61.5 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three-point range.

Saint Martin’s senior forward Bria Thames earned the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week award after averaging a double-double of 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games as the Saints split against the Alaska schools at home. Thames connected for 22 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three assists in Thursday’s 96-62 win over Alaska. She then finished with 17 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s 73-63 loss to Alaska Anchorage.

For the week, Thames connected on 71.4 percent from the field. She went 10 of 12 in the win over the Nanooks.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 19
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Shaw Anderson (Seattle Pacific, F, 6-6, Fr., Kelso, Wash. – Kelso): Anderson paced Seattle Pacific to two more GNAC wins with 44 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. He shot 61.5 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from three-point range and went 7 of 8 from the free throw line. Anderson opened with 11 points and six rebounds in Thursday’s 83-76 win over Alaska Anchorage. He then came alive for 33 points, nine rebounds and three assists in Saturday’s 86-68 win over Alaska. He connected on 12 of 16 from the field, 4 of 5 from three-point range and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. Also Nominated: Oggie Pantovic (Alaska Anchorage), Kevin Baker (Central Washington), Dakota Ayala (Concordia), Brendan Howard (Montana State Billings), Julian Roche (Simon Fraser), Dalven Brushier (Western Oregon), Siaan Rojas (Western Washington).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Bria Thames (Saint Martin’s, F, 6-0, Sr., Beaverton, Ore. – Umpqua CC): Thames led the Saints to a 1-1 week with 39 points and 21 rebounds in two games, shooting 71.4 percent from the field. She also finished the week with three assists, three steals and two blocks. Thames posted a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds in Thursday’s 96-62 win over Alaska. She connected on 10 of 12 from the field while also coming up with three assists, a block and a steal. Thames came back with 17 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s 73-63 loss to Alaska Anchorage. She made 5 of 9 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line and also had two steals and a block. Also Nominated: Safiyyash Yasin (Alaska Anchorage), Jeanann Lemelin (Montana State Billings), Marina Valles (Northwest Nazarene), Jessica Jones (Simon Fraser), Tresai McCarver (Western Oregon), Anna Schwecke (Western Washington).