Pickens named USA South Women's Basketball Player of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon senior Pat Pickens was named the USA South Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her performance in a 65-61 win over Rust College.

In the win, Pickens scored a career-high 37 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, had five steals and was 15-of-19 from the field. The 37 points set the Lady Hawks' NCAA-era single game scoring record. Pickens held the previous record of 35 points.

In three games this season, Pickens is averaging 26.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.

Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.

Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Jaumonee Byrd, Maryville - The junior forward from Savannah, Georgia averaged 23.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest in a 1-2 week for the Scots. In a 97-68 win over Johnson University, Byrd totaled 27 points, six rebounds, one steal and one block. In an 86-75 loss to Oglethorpe, Byrd contributed 24 points and eight rebounds. Finally, in a 68-57 loss to Emory, Byrd notched a double-double of 19 points and ten rebounds to go along with two steals. Also Nominated: Rashawn Speas, Ferrum; Devan Gregory, Greensboro; Eric Dortch-Jones, N.C. Wesleyan; Peyton Luken, Piedmont; Colton McGriff, Covenant; Trevor West, Averett.

Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Pat Pickens, Huntingdon - The Anniston, Alabama senior forward led the Hawks to a 65-61 victory over Rust in the team's only action last week. Pickens notched a double-double with a career-high 37 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five steals and two assists in the win. Also Nominated: Jacole Hairston, Ferrum; Vontreece Hayes, Greensboro; Mary Kate Rushton, Piedmont; Alex Bond, Maryville; Jessica Myers, Averett.

Rookies of the Week 

Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Justin Vallejo, Piedmont - The Daytona Beach, Florida freshman forward helped the Lions to a 79-62 victory over Sewanee in the team's only action last week. Vallejo notched a double-double of 12 points and ten rebounds to go along with two assists in the win. Also Nominated: Adrian Moore, N.C. Wesleyan.

Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Rachel Hawn, Maryville - The Franklin, Tennessee freshman center helped the Scots to an 80-61 victory over Emory in the team's only action last week. Hawn totaled eight points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal in the win. Also Nominated: Kechae Parker, N.C. Wesleyan; Azha McNeil, Greensboro; Jonna Koski, Averett.