DEMPSEY, WILLIAMS ARE DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Contact Jeff Bernstein
jeffrey.bernstein@nyu.edu
(212) 998-2031

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Marcus Dempsey of Muskingum University (New Concord, Ohio) and Kelly Williams of Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending December 31.

Dempsey, a 6-1 sophomore guard from Zanesville, Ohio, averaged 52.5 points per game last week as the Fighting Muskies (5-6) went 1-1. In an 88-77 victory over Medaille on Friday, Dempsey scored 48 points (15-of-20 FG, 11-of-17 FT, 7-of-8 3FG) while adding three rebounds and two assists. Then, in a 111-104 loss to Oberlin on Saturday, Dempsey broke the Muskingum record and scored a NCAA Division III one-game season-high 57 points (19-of-30 FG, 12-of-16 FT, 7-of-12 3FG) while also totaling three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. For the week, he shot 69 percent (34-of-50) from the field, 69.6 percent (23-of-33) from the foul line and 70 percent (14-of-20) from three-point range, while also averaging 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. For his efforts, Dempsey was also named the Oberlin College Holiday Classic MVP and the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Player of the Week.

Williams, a 6-3 sophomore forward from Garysburg, N.C., has earned the award for the second time this season. She averaged 21.5 points, 19.5 rebounds, 7.0 blocks, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game as the Yellow Jackets (receiving votes D3hoops.com) went 2-0 over the break. On Monday, December 18, Williams totaled 21 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists as Randolph-Macon (9-2) defeated Lycoming 70-63. She shot 9-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in that contest. Then, in a 71-64 overtime win against Johns Hopkins on Saturday, December 30, Williams played the full 45 minutes and finished with 22 points, 22 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and nine blocks, which is tied for the NCAA Division III single-game high this season. Williams has now posted six games of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds this season, and she currently leads the nation in scoring (25.2), rebounding (19.5) and blocks (4.27) per game. For her efforts, Williams was also named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the fourth season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.