ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Alex Herrera of Fort Lewis College (Durango, Colo.) and Taylor Beverly of the University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Ga.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division II National Players of the Week for the week ending Jan. 25.
Herrera, a 6-10 senior center from Ignacio, Colo., led the Skyhawks to a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference wins last week, including an upset of No. 9-ranked Colorado Mines. Herrera averaged 30.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks for the week as Fort Lewis (15-4, 10-3 RMAC) followed a 92-79 win at home over Colorado Christian with the 83-77 upset over Colorado Mines.
Herrera registered double-doubles in both games, shooting a combined 53 percent (16-for-30) from the field and 74 percent (28-for-38) from the free throw line for the week. He scored 32 points, sinking 20-of-26 free throw attempts, and collected 12 rebounds in the victory over Colorado Christian. He added 28 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Colorado Mines, which brought the Skyhawks within one game of first place in the RMAC standings.
Beverly, a 5-10 senior forward from Brandon, Miss., was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Week after averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds per game in two contests last week while recording her 13th and 14th double-doubles of the season.
Beverly recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 73-38 win over Mississippi College last Thursday and dropped in 27 points with 14 rebounds despite a 64-59 loss to Delta State on Saturday. She shot a combined 67.8 percent (19-of-28) from the field in the two games and was 12-of-14 (85.7 percent) from the charity stripe.
The Wolves are 12-7 overall, including 7-6 in the GSC.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division II National Players of the Week. This is the first season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division II.
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.
2014-15 USBWA Division II National Players of the Week
Week ending Dec. 7: Derrick White, Colorado-Colorado Springs and Sarah Nelson, Dominican
· Week ending Dec. 14: Tyler Kelly, Florida Southern and Abby Kirchoff, Colorado-Colorado Springs
· Week ending Jan. 4: Eric Anderson, New Haven and Shareta Brown, Wayne State
· Week ending Jan. 11: Gerald Beverly, Daemen College and Natalie Piaggesi, Mercyhurst
· Week ending Jan. 18: Joe Lawson, Indianapolis and Morgan Pullins, St. Mary's (Texas)
· Week ending Jan. 25: Alex Herrera, Fort Lewis College and Taylor Beverly, West Georgia
· Week ending Feb. 1: Derrick White, Colorado-Colorado Springs and Nettie Blake, Gannon University
· Week ending Feb. 8: Darian Hooker, NYIT and Shareta Brown, Wayne State
· Week ending Feb. 15: Garret Kerr, University of the Sciences and Schontiquah White, West Texas A&M
· Week ending Feb. 22: Nick Harney, Fairmont State and Amy Philamlee, Union (Tenn.)