Monday, January 3, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. – In the return to conference play after the holiday break, Alaska Anchorage’s David Rowlands and Simon Fraser’s Jessica Wisotzki saw their stars shine brightest with selections as the GNAC Players of the Week.

Rowlands, a senior guard, was named the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he led the Seawolves to an 88-83 win on Thursday over GNAC preseason favorite Seattle Pacific. Rowlands finished with 19 points, eight assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes of work, connecting on 4 of 6 from three-point range and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line.

It is the first GNAC Player of the Week selection for the transfer from Hawaii Pacific and the second selection for Alaska Anchorage this season. The win in their only game of the week improved the Seawolves to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Wisotzki was named the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season after she led Simon Fraser to an 84-71 win over Western Oregon on Saturday. Wisotzki led all scorers with 27 points, connecting on 9 of 15 from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. She also finished with four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Simon Fraser improved to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play in the team’s only game of the week.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 19
MEN’S BASKETBALL
David Rowlands (Alaska Anchorage, G, 6-0, Sr., Dayton, Ohio – Hawaii Pacific Univ.): Rowlands led Alaska Anchorage to an 88-83 win over Seattle Pacific on Thursday. He just missed a double-double with 19 points, eight assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes of work. He connected on 4 of 6 from three-point range and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Also Nominated: David Thompson (Central Washington), Gabe Murphy (Northwest Nazarene).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Jessica Wisotzki (Simon Fraser, G/F, 6-2, So., Langley, B.C. – Walnut Grove): Wisotzki put together a big offensive night in SFU’s 84-71 win over Western Oregon on Saturday. Wisotzki led all scorers with 27 points, connecting on 9 of 15 from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. She also had four rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block as SFU evened its conference record at 1-1. Also Nominated: Kizzah Maltezo (Central Washington), Natalie Hoff (Seattle Pacific), Tresai McCarver (Western Oregon), Emma Duff (Western Washington).