COPELAND, WILLIAMS ARE DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

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

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Myles Copeland of Trine University (Angola, Ind.) 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 February 11.

Copeland, a 6-6 junior forward from Perrysburg, Ohio, averaged a double-double of 39 points and 10 rebounds per game last week as Trine (11-12, 7-5) won both of its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) matchups. On Wednesday, Copeland scored a career-high 41 points (17-of-29 FG, 7-of-9 FT) and added 11 rebounds and two assists in the Thunder's 75-68 overtime victory against Calvin. Trine trailed by nine with just under seven minutes left in the game, but Copeland scored 10 points down the stretch and eight more in overtime as the Thunder pulled out the win. Then, in a 76-72 victory over Albion on Saturday, he recorded 37 points (14-of-23 FG, 9-of-11 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal. For the week, Copeland shot 59.5 percent (31-of-52) from the field and 80 percent (16-of-20) from the line. For his efforts, Copeland was also named the MIAA Player of the Week.

Williams, a 6-3 sophomore forward from Garysburg, N.C., wins the honor for the third time this season and a record-tying fourth time in her career. She averaged 36 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, and 3.5 assists for Randolph-Macon (17-5, 10-4) as the Yellow Jackets split their two Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) games last week. In a 98-79 win over Bridgewater on Tuesday, Williams recorded her eighth 20-20 game of the season with 27 points (11-of-15 FG, 5-of-8) and 20 rebounds to go along with five blocks and five assists. Then, in a 98-82 loss to Guilford on Saturday, she tied this season's NCAA Division III one-game highs of 45 points and 18 made field goals (18-of-26) while adding five blocks and two assists. For the week, Williams shot 70.7 percent (29-of-41) from the field and 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the foul line. For her efforts, Williams was also named the ODAC 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.