Pickens earns second USA South Player of the Week honor

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon's Pat Pickens earned her second straight USA South Athlete of the Week honor on Monday.

Pickens was recognized for her performance in a 77-47 win over Wesleyan and an 86-77 loss to Oglethorpe. The senior from Anniston, Ala., averaged 21.5 points, 15 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.5 assists in the two games.

Against Wesleyan, Pickens set the Lady Hawks' NCAA-era record for rebounds in a game with 20. She also had 17 points, three assists and three steals. In the loss to Oglethorpe, Pickens had 26 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists.

In five games this season, she is averaging a double-double of 24.6 points and 13 rebounds per game. She ranks fifth in all of Division III in scoring average and leads Division III in offensive rebounds per game with eight.

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

Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Jamal Pullen, Ferrum - The senior forward from Alexandria, Virginia averaged 27.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest in a 1-1 week for the Panthers. In a 76-69 win over Emory & Henry, Pullen totaled 30 points and six rebounds. In an 86-67 loss to nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, Pullen contributed 25 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one assist. Also Nominated: Carter Jones, Averett; Christian Ford, Maryville; Chris Meeks, Piedmont; Eric Dortch-Jones, N.C. Wesleyan; Alex Layson, Huntingdon.

Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Pat Pickens, Huntingdon - The Anniston, Alabama senior forward averaged a double-double of 21.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game as the Hawks posted a 1-1 record last week. She also added 3.5 steals and 2.5 assists per contest last week. In a 77-47 victory over Wesleyan (Ga.), Pickens tallied a double-double with 17 points and a new-program record 20 rebounds. She also added three assists and three steals in the win. In an 86-77 loss to Oglethorpe, Pickens again notched a double-double of 26 points and ten rebounds to go along with four steals and two assists. Also Nominated: Jessica Myers, Averett; Mackenzie Puckett, Maryville; Le'Shaunda Jones, Piedmont; Kenyata Harris, N.C. Wesleyan.

Rookies of the Week

Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Kaimonne Douglas, N.C.Wesleyan - The Petersburg, Virginia freshman guard helped the Bishops to a 94-74 victory over USA South foe William Peace in the team's only action last week. Douglas notched 19 points, which included five three-pointers, with one steal in the win. Also Nominated: James Contreras Jr., Averett; Sam Greene, Maryville; Justin Vallejo, Piedmont.

Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
KeChae Parker, N.C.Wesleyan - The Henderson, North Carolina freshman forward averaged a double-double of 11.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as the Bishops posted a 1-1 record last week. In an 87-77 win over USA South foe William Peace, Parker totaled nine points and 12 rebounds. In a 72-69 loss at Virginia Wesleyan, Parker notched a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds with one assist and one steal. Also Nominated: Samm Chandler, Averett; Zarkia Mattox, Ferrum; Dakota Sullens, Piedmont.