KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Junior guard Janiyah Tucker of Langston (Okla.) has been named the PrestoSports NAIA Women's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week after putting together an impressive two-game stretch at the Omaha Hardwood Classic.
The West Memphis, Arkansas, native showcased her scoring ability on one of the national stage's early-season showcases, averaging 34 points per game while helping the Lady Lions finish the event with a 1-1 record. Tucker's explosive performances have helped her climb to third nationally in scoring average.
Tucker opened the week with a 33-point effort against Sterling (Kan.), connecting on 14-of-24 shots from the field and knocking down three 3-pointers. She followed that performance with an even stronger outing in a 77-70 victory over Peru State (Neb.), pouring in 35 points on an efficient 12-of-19 shooting night while converting all eight of her free-throw attempts.
Across both contests, Tucker shot 60.5 percent from the field, 54.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line, totaling 68 points in just 62 minutes of action.
Beyond her scoring production, Tucker contributed in multiple facets of the game. She averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per contest, highlighted by a six-steal performance against Sterling. Her relentless energy on both ends of the floor helped keep Langston competitive throughout the tournament and sparked the Lady Lions in key moments.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small college athletics programs dedicated to character-driven, education-based athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has balanced high-level competition with holistic student-athlete development through its commitment to The Right Way to Play®. Each year more than 87,000 NAIA student-athletes compete in college athletics, earn over $1.3 billion in financial aid, and pursue opportunities to participate in 30 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA | #TheRightWayToPlay
