Wilson Tabbed MVC Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS – Sydney Wilson of Missouri State women’s basketball has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for her performances against UNI and Drake, the league announced today.
 
A fifth-year senior, Wilson helped lead Missouri State to two crucial wins over the weekend, including scoring the game-winner against UNI on Thursday. The Overland Park, Kan. native averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals on the week, while shooting .588 (10-17) from the field. She also anchored two incredible defensive performances as Missouri State held UNI scoreless for the final 3:20 of the game to mount a second-half comeback and then held Drake to 54 points and four made triples after the Bulldogs entered the game averaging 81.9 points and 8.0 threes per game.
 
In Thursday night’s win against UNI, which came into the game tied for first in the MVC standings, Wilson logged 11 points (5-for-7 FG), six rebounds and dished out five assists while committing no turnovers against the Panthers. Her signature moment came in the closing seconds of the game, as she grabbed a vital offensive rebound and scored the ultimate game-winning goal on the putback with just 0:26 remaining, before padding MSU’s lead a few seconds later at the free throw line.
 
On Saturday against Drake, the Lady Bear veteran scored 14 points, pulled down eight rebounds, tallied six assists and collected six steals in 40 minutes on the floor. She went 2-for-2 from the free throw line and knocked down an important three-pointer to open the fourth quarter that put a stop to a Drake run from the previous period and helped secure the victory over the then-second place Bulldogs.
 
Wilson now ranks fifth in the MVC with 2.6 offensive rebounds per game on a squad that ranks seventh nationally with 16.6 offensive boards per game.
 
The honor marks the first MVC weekly award of Wilson’s career.
 
MSU will return to the road next week for a matchup with Southern Illinois on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m., before returning home to face new Valley member UIC on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.
 
Missouri State is running a women’s basketball “1-2-3 Saturdays” ticket special.  The deal consists of $1 tickets in select areas, $2 hot dogs and $3 Coca-Cola products for the Lady Bear games on February 4 and 25.
 
The special is based on availability and is good for new ticket purchase only. Purchases must be made in person at the Great Southern Bank Arena box office or by phone at (417) 836-7678, during box office hours.