ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Aston Francis of Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) and Rachael Windhausen of Oswego State University (Oswego, N.Y.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 10.
Francis, a 6-1 senior guard from Tyler, Texas, averaged 42 points as Wheaton (17-7, 10-5) split its two games last week. In Wednesday's 93-83 loss to No. 4 (D3hoops.com) Augustana, Francis scored 35 points, collected eight rebounds, added four assists, and recorded four steals. Then, on Saturday against then-No. 13 North Central, he went off for 49 points and added five rebounds, one assist and one steal as the Thunder produced an 82-71 upset on the road. For the week, Francis averaged 42.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 2.5 spg. He shot 50.8 percent (30-of-59) from the field, 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the foul line and 48.6 percent (17-of-35) from three-point range. Francis, who currently leads NCAA Division III with 32.5 ppg, has broken his own school record with 122 three-pointers this season and ranks 22nd all-time in Division III with 337 career treys. For his efforts, Francis was also named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Player of the Week.
Windhausen, a 6-2 graduate forward from Liverpool, N.Y., averaged a double-double despite Oswego (2-20, 1-14) losing both of its back-to-back games in overtime last week. On Friday, Windhausen totaled then-career-highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds as the Lakers fell to Potsdam 70-69 in overtime. She also had two blocks, an assist and a steal while playing all 45 minutes of the contest. The next night, she bettered those numbers by scoring 34 points and pulling down 21 rebounds in 44 minutes while also recording two blocks, two assists and a steal in an 83-76 double-overtime loss. For the week, Windhausen averaged 28.0 ppg, 18.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.5 apg, and 1.0 spg. She shot 76 percent (19-of-25) from the field and 91 percent (20-of-22) from the foul line. For her efforts, Windhausen was also named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Player of the Week.
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.
2018-19 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
Week ending Nov. 18: Keith Brown, Endicott College
and Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda, Emmanuel College
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Week ending Nov. 25: Demitrius Underwood, University
of Texas at Dallas and Allison Chernow, Emory University
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Week ending Dec. 2: Kevin Dennis, Morrisville
State College and Hannah Norlin, University of Wisconsin-Superior
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Week ending Dec. 9: Sean Smith, Jr., Manhattanville
College and Madison Temple, Thomas More University
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Week ending Dec. 16: Auston Francis, Wheaton
College (Ill.) and Madison Temple, Thomas More University
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Week ending Jan. 6: Will Carius, Monmouth College (Ill.)
and Maddie Hasson, Bowdoin College
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Week ending Jan. 13: Elijah Hirsh, Berry College and Katie Garrish, Southern Virginia University
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Week ending Jan. 20: Hakeem Animashaun, Salem State University; Kierra McCarthy, Westfield State University
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Week ending Jan. 27: Sam Jefferson, Colby College; Caitlin Corbett, Hartwick College
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Week ending Feb. 3: Andrew Romero III, Johnson & Wales University; Rebecca Prociak, King's College
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Week ending Feb. 10: Aston Francis, Wheaton College (Ill.); Rachael Windhausen, Oswego State University
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Week ending Feb. 17: Kevin Dennis, Morrisville State College; Rah Rah Thompson, Albertus Magnus College
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Week ending Feb. 24: Luke Smith, Sewanee; Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda, Emmanuel College