HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's Carissa Garcia was named the Horizon League Women's Basketball Player of the Week following her performance in two road wins against Milwaukee, which was undefeated in Horizon League play at 12-0 and receiving votes in the national polls. This marks Garcia's first-career player of the week award.
Following a nearly one-month lay-off due to COVID-related matters, Garcia came out on fire and matched her career-high with 20 points in Friday night's 67-50 victory.
Garcia's encore performance on Saturday saw the sophomore guard establish a new career high-water mark with 22 points.
A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Garcia used highly efficient 55 percent shooting (16-of-29) from the floor, including 53 percent (9-of-17) from 3-point range en route to her 21.0 points-per-game average. She also contributed 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in the series sweep.
"I'm so proud of Carissa's play on the court, but mostly of how she continues to stay positive through all of the adversity we have faced this year," exclaimed Camryn Whitaker, NKU head coach. "She's a tireless worker and stepped up in a big way for our team. Fortunately, we get to watch Carissa grow for two more years and I know her best days are ahead on and off the court."
Garcia is currently averaging 9.5 points per game, but 11.5 ppg against League opposition. This is Garcia's third weekly honor of her career, as she was also named Horizon League Freshman of the Week on two-separate occasions last year. Garcia joins Lindsey Duvall in winning the honor this year, as Duvall collected the award on Dec. 21.
Northern Kentucky sits at a perfect 6-0 in Horizon League contests and is 6-5 overall. In league play, the Norse are outscoring their opponents, 70.2-50.8, and outrebounding teams, 43.2-31.3.
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