Hustle Belt's MAC Women's Basketball Players of the Week

With finals taking place on most campuses, it was a slow week for basketball in the MAC.  There were only a total of six games across the league over the last seven days, but there were still some outstanding performances to recognize.

Mid-American Conference Eastern Division Player of the Week

Kiyanna Black, Ohio Bobcats (Guard, Sophomore)

Admittedly, Ohio's 72-55 victory over Notre Dame College was the only Eastern Division game that was actually played last week.  One other (Bowling Green-UMass) was postponed.  Regardless, Black had an impressive outing as the Bobcats righted the ship before a big road test this week at East Carolina.  Black scored 20 points in 18 minutes and was a force in her time on the floor.  She forced her way to the free throw line several times, ultimately making 10 of 12 attempts from the charity stripe.  Black also sank two of seven attempts from three-point range.

Mid-American Conference Western Division Player of the Week

Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan Chippewas (Guard, Junior)

Crystal Bradford wins this honor for the second consecutive week with another outstanding game against a powerful mid-major.  The Jackrabbits of South Dakota State beat a ranked Penn State team earlier in the week before hosting CMU, and they also have wins over Georgetown and Green Bay.  Unfortunately for the Chippewas, they now have a win over CMU on their resume.

Bradford posted another double-double in the 87-82 loss to South Dakota State.  She scored 25 points by going 10-for-21 from the floor, including 3-for-8 from long distance.  Bradford secured 16 rebounds, 12 of which were on the defensive end, and dished out seven assists.  She also contributed four steals and two blocks.

CMU gets a slight bit of rest this week with a home game against Prairie View A&M but then go right back to their gauntlet of a schedule with a trip to Notre Dame next weekend.

Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Week

Janay Morton, Eastern Michigan Eagles (Guard)

Eastern Michigan had perhaps their most difficult test of the season last week with road games against Michigan and Detroit, and the Eagles fared relatively well.  EMU struggled at times with Michigan in a 14-point loss (89-75) but rebounded with a big offensive explosion in a 104-96 win over Detroit.

Those efforts were led by freshman guard Janay Morton.  Morton scored 44 points during the two games, including 21 against the Wolverines.  She made 14 of 39 field goals and was 12-for-13 from the free throw line.  In the win over Detroit, Morton sank nine of ten free throws.  She also contributed to that victory by gathering six rebounds, dishing out four assists, and adding two blocks and three steals.

Morton and the Eagles have an opportunity to improve their 7-1 record with neutral-site games against Wagner and Monmouth this weekend.