McNeill, Robben Earn Weekly Hoops Awards

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Will McNeill (Washburn) and Heather Robben (Emporia State) have been named MIAA Basketball Student-Athletes of the Week for the week of Dec. 5-11 as selected by a conference SID panel.

MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Will McNeill, G, Washburn
McNeill averaged 18.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.5 spg as the Ichabods were 2-0 last week including a win at unbeaten and nationally-ranked No. 10 Fort Hays State. Against the Tigers, McNeill was 8 of 18 from the field scoring a game-high 20 points with eight rebounds. The junior from Alexandria, La., scored 13 points in the second half, going 6 of 11 from the field. In Washburn's 67-54 win over Truman, he scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half scoring a game-high 16 points with six rebounds.

Others nominated: Taylor Euler, ESU; Jason Adams, MSSU; James Harris, MWSU; Bryston Williams, NWMSU.

MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Heather Robben, G, Emporia State
Robben averaged 23.0 points per game on .650 shooting as the Lady Hornets defeated nationally ranked opponents in back to back games for the first time since the 2010 Elite Eight. The senior from Maize, Kan., had 15 points and four assists as ESU defeated then-No. 13 Northeastern State 60-54 in Tahlequah, Okla. She hit back to back threes for ESU after the Riverhawks jumped out to a 9-3 lead to open the game. Robben scored ten points in the first half as the Lady Hornets built a 38-30 lead at the break. She scored career high 31 points in ESU's 80-66 win over then-No. 22 Central Missouri. Robben scored the first 12 points of a 13-2 run for ESU that turned a seven point lead to an 18 point lead with 13:16 left. Robben has hit 18 straight free throws over the last four games. ESU has now won seven straight games by an average of 19.0 points after dropping the season opener.

Others nominated: Katelyn Edwards, FHSU; Vivian Essuon, LU; Jessica Koch, MWSU; Abby Henry, NWMSU; Brooke Conley, PSU; Becka McHenry, TSU.

2011-12 MIAA Basketball Student-Athletes of the Week
11/15 - Men: Jason Adams, G, MSSU; Women: Katelyn Edwards, G, FHSU
11/21 – Men: TJ Johnson, G, MWSU; Women: Shaquanda Wiggins, F, UCM
11/28 – Men: Alex North, F, WU; Women: Kelsey Balcom, F, ESU
12/5 – Men: Keane Thomann, C, MSSU; Women: Lizzy Jeronimus, F, PSU
12/12 – Men: Will McNeill, G, WU; Women: Heather Robben, G, ESU