Basketball
Spotlight on Stellar Performances: The Week's Top Women’s Basketball Stars
2025-01-01
Women’s college basketball witnessed an array of outstanding performances this week, with several players making their mark in memorable fashion. From record-breaking achievements to pivotal victories, these athletes have set the stage for a thrilling season ahead.

Unstoppable Talent and Unyielding Spirit Drive These Players to New Heights

Pioneering Freshman Dominates the Court

At Georgia Tech, freshman Dani Carnegie continues to astound with her remarkable consistency and skill. In a commanding 100-61 victory over Pittsburgh, Carnegie delivered another stellar performance, scoring 24 points along with five rebounds and two steals. This marks her fourth game surpassing the 20-point threshold and the second consecutive week achieving such a feat. Carnegie’s prowess extends beyond scoring; she has hit multiple three-pointers in 11 games, including four against the Panthers, matching her season-best.Carnegie leads the Yellow Jackets offensively, averaging 15.1 points per game and leading in three-point field goals (39) and three-point field goal percentage (39.4%). Her impressive debut has earned her the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honor for the third consecutive week, solidifying her status as a formidable force in collegiate basketball. With Georgia Tech undefeated at 14-0 and ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25, Carnegie’s contributions are instrumental in the team’s success.

Senior Guard Shatters Records with Exceptional Play

Delanie Crawford of Tulsa etched her name in the history books during a crucial American Athletic Conference opener. Scoring a career-high 36 points in a 93-84 win over East Carolina, Crawford displayed exceptional shooting accuracy, hitting 14-of-20 shots from the field, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. She also secured seven rebounds and added four steals and two assists.Crawford’s 36-point performance ranks as the third-highest total in Tulsa’s program history and is just four points shy of the single-game record. Her first-half tally of 26 points ties the Reynolds Center record, previously set by Kendrian Elliott in 2019. Crawford’s 14 made field goals stand as the second-best single-game effort in Tulsa history. As the Golden Hurricane prepares for a New Year’s Day matchup against North Texas, Crawford’s impact remains undeniable.

Rhode Island’s Star Center Delivers Career-Best Performance

Harsimran “Honey” Kaur of Rhode Island showcased her versatility and scoring ability in an 83-63 triumph over Saint Louis. Kaur poured in a career-best 27 points, connecting on 10-of-16 shots from the floor and 5-of-7 from the three-point line, setting a new personal record for three-pointers. She also contributed 10 rebounds, marking her fourth double-double of the season.Kaur’s dominance earned her the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week accolade. Leading the Rams in scoring with an average of 12.5 points per game, Kaur’s performance underscores her importance to the team. As Rhode Island heads into a January 2nd contest against St. Bonaventure, Kaur’s leadership and scoring prowess will be key to the Rams’ continued success.

Triple-Double Mastery Elevates Notre Dame Point Guard

Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles achieved yet another milestone with a triple-double against Virginia, contributing 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists in a decisive 95-54 win. This marks her third triple-double of the season and sixth of her career, tying Maryland’s Alyssa Thomas for the most in ACC history. Miles became the first ACC player to achieve back-to-back triple-doubles, further cementing her legacy.Miles’ historic performance includes reaching 500 career rebounds, joining Skylar Diggins and Lindsay Allen as one of only three players in Notre Dame women’s basketball history to achieve 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. Leading the ACC with 7.2 assists per game, Miles’ all-around play is vital to the Fighting Irish’s success. As they prepare to face No. 17 North Carolina, Miles’ leadership and versatility will be crucial.

Golden Grizzlies' Junior Guard Secures Crucial Win

Maddy Skorupski of Oakland delivered a career-high 29 points in a nail-biting 86-85 overtime victory over Northern Kentucky. Skorupski’s clutch performance included 11-of-20 shooting from the field, five steals, and four assists. Her and-one layup in overtime sealed the win for the Golden Grizzlies, who improved to 3-0 in Horizon League play.Through 12 games, Skorupski averages a team-best 17.2 points per game while shooting 41.9% from the floor. Her contributions were pivotal in securing the win, especially during the critical moments of regulation and overtime. As Oakland looks to maintain its perfect conference record against Cleveland State on January 3rd, Skorupski’s resilience and scoring ability will be essential.
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