GAC BASKETBALL REPORT (PDF)

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Henderson State’s Denzel Lyles (pictured left) and Harding’s Montana Lewis (pictured right) have been named the Great American Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Players of the Week after leading their respective teams to a pair of wins over the past week to keep sole possession of first place in the league standings for both squads.

MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Henderson State junior guard Denzel Lyles has been named the GAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 23 points per game in a pair of wins over the past week to keep the Reddies atop the GAC standings. The Columbus, Ohio native racked up a weekly total of 46 points in wins over Southeastern Oklahoma State and Arkansas-Monticello. In the 88-72 win over the Savage Storm at home last Thursday, Lyles scored 16 points and added five rebounds. Two days later, he recorded his third 30-point game of the season with 30 points in an 88-85 come-from-behind win over Arkansas-Monticello on the road. He was 12-of-18 from the field in that game, including a 6-of-10 outing from three-point range. For the week, he shot 54.8 percent from the field (17-of-31), 55.6 percent on three-pointers (10-of-18) and 100 percent at the foul line (2-of-2). Lyles was also the GAC’s men’s hoops player of the week on January 3.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Harding freshman guard Montana Lewis has been named the GAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after recording back-to-back double-doubles over the past week in wins over East Central and Southwestern Oklahoma State at home. The Bella Vista, Ark. native started the week with 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 79-44 win over East Central last Thursday, and followed that performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 73-54 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday. For the week, Lewis shot 42.4 percent from the field (14-of-33) and 64 percent at the foul line (16-of-25). Lewis becomes the second women’s basketball player from HU to earn GAC player of the week honors this season, following teammate Sierra Rollins’ honor on January 3.

NOTABLE NOMINEES
M – DeAntra Scott, JR, G, Harding (16.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 76.5 FG pct. in a 2-0 week for the Bisons)
M – Will Paul, JR, C, Arkansas Tech (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 50.0 FG pct. in a 2-0 week for the Wonder Boys)
W – Chelsea Johnson, SR, G, Arkansas-Monticello (20 points, 11 rebounds in a 68-47 win over Henderson State)
W – Katie Horsman, SR, F, Arkansas Tech (20.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 13 three-pointers in a 3-0 week for the Golden Suns)
W – Tamara Robinson, SR, F, Ouachita Baptist (17.0 pgg, 7.0 rpg in a 2-0 week for the Lady Tigers)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
2/16: Arkansas Tech at Southwestern Oklahoma State (5:30/7:30)
2/16: Southern Arkansas at East Central (5:30/7:30)
2/16: Ouachita Baptist at Harding (5:30/7:30)
2/16: Arkansas-Monticello at Southwestern Oklahoma State (5:30/7:30)
2/16: Henderson State OFF
2/18: Southern Arkansas at Southwestern Oklahoma State (1/3)
2/18: Arkansas-Monticello at East Central (2/4)
2/18: Harding at Southeastern Oklahoma State (2/4)
2/18: Henderson State at Arkansas Tech (4/6)
2/18: Ouachita Baptist OFF