ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Ty Sabin of Ripon College (Ripon, Wis.) and Lisa Murphy of Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pa.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending January 22.
Sabin, a 6-2 senior guard from New Berlin, Wis., scored 35 points (14-of-19 FG, 2-of-4 FT, 3-of-4 3FG) as the Red Hawks (12-3) defeated No. 7 (D3hoops.com) Norbert 81-55 on Wednesday. Sabin also totaled nine rebounds, two steals and an assist in the contest as Ripon snapped the Green Knights 72-game Midwest Conference winning streak. Then in a 104-101 loss to Grinnell on Saturday, Sabin scored 25 points (8-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 FT, 5-of-7 3FG) while adding four rebounds and three assists. For the week, he averaged 30.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. Sabin shot 71.9 percent (23-of-32) from the field, 60.0 percent (6-of-10) from the foul line and 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from three-point range. Also selected the Midwest Conference Player of the Week, Sabin currently leads NCAA Division III in scoring with 29.7 ppg.
Murphy, a 6-1 senior center from McLean, Va., became the first player in the history of the University Athletic Association (UAA) to compile 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career following her outstanding week. Against No. 23 (D3hoops.com) Rochester on Friday, Murphy scored 26 points (5-of-8 FG, 16-of-17 FT), collected 13 rebounds, and added five blocks and two assists in the Tartans (15-1) 71-62 victory. Against Emory on Sunday, she scored 44 points (15-of-16 FG, 14-of-16 FT), totaled 15 rebounds, and had two assists, two blocks and two steals in the 93-73 win. For the week, Murphy averaged 35.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. She shot 83.3 percent (20-of-24) from the field and 90.9 percent (30-of-33) from the foul line. Murphy currently leads the nation in scoring (25.9 ppg) and field goal percentage (82.2) for No. 9 Carnegie Mellon.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the third 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.
2016-17 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
Week ending Nov. 20: Khory Moore, Virginia Wesleyan College and Camille McPherson, Moravian College
· Week ending Nov. 27: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Mikayla Miller, Gustavus Adolphus College
· Week ending Dec. 4: Sam Amsbaugh, Simpson College and Sara Tarbert, Stevenson University
· Week ending Dec. 11: Jayde Dawson, Amherst College and Zarkia Mattox, Ferrum College
· Week ending Dec. 18: Anthony Mosley Jr., Illinois Institute of Technology and Emily Martin, Elizabethtown College
· Week ending Jan. 1: Tyheim Monroe, Cabrini College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 8: Frank Schettino, College of Staten Island and Kelly Williams, Randolph-Macon College
· Week ending Jan. 15: Baba Waples, Penn State Berks and Garis Grant, Agnes Scott College
· Week ending Jan. 22: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 29: Marcos Echevarria, Nichols College and Kara Hageman, Case Western Reserve University
· Week ending Feb. 5: Caleb Thomasson, Sul Ross State University and Kaitlin Langer, University of St. Thomas
· Week ending Feb. 12: Brendan Wind, Nazareth College and Savannah Olsen, Newbury College
· Week ending Feb. 19: Keegan Ryan, St. John Fisher College and Jill Valley, Westfield State University
· Week ending Feb. 26: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Katie Sommer, Wartburg College