FREUND, BURTON ARE DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

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

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Josh Freund of Roanoke College (Roanoke, Va.) and Kelsey Burton of Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, Ill.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 4.

Freund, a 6-6 junior forward from Charlotte, N.C., averaged a double-double of 28 points and 16 rebounds per game last week as Roanoke (14-7, 7-5) won both of its Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) matchups. On Wednesday, against then-No. 19 (D3hoops.com) Emory & Henry, Freund scored 25 points (8-of-16 FG, 9-of-9 FT) and added 16 rebounds in the Maroons 76-68 victory. Roanoke trailed by eight at the break, but Freund fueled the comeback with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the second half. In Saturday·s 85-76 victory over Shenandoah, he totaled 31 points (11-of-16 FG, 9-of-11 FT) and 16 rebounds while also contributing three assists and two steals. For the week, Freund shot 59.4 percent (19-of-32) from the field and 90 percent (18-of-20) from the line. For his efforts, Freund was also named the ODAC Player of the Week.

Burton, a 5-6 freshman guard from Fishers, Ind., recorded two double-doubles as Lake Forest (10-11, 8-6) won both of its Midwest Conference contests last week. In the Foresters 66-43 win over Beloit on Tuesday, Burton totaled 25 points (10-of-15 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Then, in a 66-45 victory over Ripon on Saturday, Burton tallied 19 points (5-of-8 FG, 7-of-8 FT, 2-of-3 3FG) while adding 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals. For the week, she averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Burton shot 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the field, 84.6 percent (11-of-13) from the foul line and 60 percent (3-of-5) from three-point range. For her efforts, Burton was also named the MVC Player of the Week.

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.