From OCU Sports
Rich Tortorelli, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Daniela Wallen from Oklahoma City University collected the first NAIA Division I women’s basketball player of the week honor of 2016-17.
Wallen, a senior from Caracas, Venezuela, became the first Star to take a national player of the week nod since Sadio Sangare’ picked up NAIA player of the week for Jan. 3-9, 2005.
During the week of Nov. 28-Dec. 4, Wallen accumulated 27.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 4.00 steals per game. She shot 61 percent from the field (25-for-41) and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. OCU, ranked 19th in the preseason poll, won 75-61 at John Brown (Ark.), who received votes, and 100-65 over 22nd-ranked Wayland Baptist (Texas). Oklahoma City rose to ninth in the first regular set of rankings this season.
Against Wayland Baptist, Wallen powered the Stars with 31 points, four rebounds, six steals and two assists. Wallen posted her fifth double-double of the season and 19th in 37 games as a Star with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three steals against John Brown. For her efforts, Wallen snared her third Sooner Athletic Conference player of the week nod in a row.
Wallen ranks fourth in the NAIA in scoring average at 22.7 points a game. Wallen adds 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.89 steals per game.
OCU (8-1) faces Haskell (Kan.) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Abe Lemons Arena.