Carbondale Reporter

Gift Uchenna, a junior from Southern Illinois University, has been recognized as the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the fourth time this season. The announcement was made by the league on Monday.

Uchenna's performance over Southern Illinois' two-game week against Evansville and Indiana State earned her this accolade. She averaged 16.0 points, 16.5 rebounds, 5.5 offensive rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. Notably, she recorded double-doubles in both games and ranks fifth in the NCAA with a total of 15 double-doubles.

In the first game of the week against Evansville's Purple Aces, Uchenna achieved her sixth 20-point game of the year, alongside recording 19 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. She also managed six offensive rebounds for the tenth time this season.

In Sunday's matchup against Indiana State, Uchenna scored 12 points and secured 14 rebounds with two blocks and one steal.

Originally from Ebonyi State in Nigeria, Uchenna previously received this award on January 20th as well as on December 30th and November 18th.

The weekly awards from Missouri Valley Conference also included Kendal Cheesman from Belmont as Player of the Week and Lainie Douglas from Missouri State as Freshman of the Week.

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