Watts, McCombs Named Athletes of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Sanijay Watts (Central Missouri) and Nicole McCombs (Pittsburg State) have been named MIAA Basketball Student-Athletes of the Week for games between Dec. 21-Jan. 2 as selected by a conference SID panel. Watts receives his second consecutive player of the week award and second overall this season, while McCombs is a first-time honoree in 2009-10.
 
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sanijay Watts, F, Central Missouri
Watts led the No. 1 Mules to a 2-0 record this past week, including a win over Pittsburg State on the road and a win against Washburn at home to push the Mules' home winning streak to 27 games. The senior from St. Louis, Mo., tallied double-doubles in both contests, averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds a game while hitting 63.6 percent from the floor. Against PSU, Watts had 24 points and 10 boards before hitting for 28 against the Ichabods and pulling down a career-best 14 rebounds. He has scored in double-figures in all 12 games this season, and the Mules are 12-0 for the first time since the record-breaking 19-0 start in 2006-07.
 
MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nicole McCombs, F, Pittsburg State
McCombs averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in Pitt State's three post-Christmas games against Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri and Missouri Southern. The senior from Richmond, Va., has been a crucial part of Pitt State's 5-1 conference start. In only 19 minutes against Central Missouri, McCombs scored 19 points, 11 in the second half and nine in the last 2:33 of the game. Against Northwest, she recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, both season highs. McCombs finished the week with 12 points and four rebounds in the win over Missouri Southern. For the season, McCombs is Pitt State's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.6 points per game. She is the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6.6 boards per game. McCombs is shooting .603 from the field and .750 from the free throw line.