WEBSTER, BOURIKAS ARE DIVISION IIINATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Contact Jeff Bernstein
jeffrey.bernstein@nyu.edu
(212) 998-2031

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Justin Webster of Adrian College (Adrian, Mich.) and Georgia Bourikas of Suffolk University (Boston, Mass.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending December 10.

Webster, a 6-5 senior forward from Adrian, Mich., led the Bulldogs (5-2) to a 2-0 week by averaging a double-double of 28.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game while adding 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals. Competing at the St. Andrews Product Classic at Trine University in Angola, Ind., on Friday and Saturday, Webster began his week with a 29-point, 12-rebound, two-assist performance in a 66-53 win over then-No. 3 (D3hoops.com) Wisconsin-Whitewater. He shot 9-of-12 from the field, 10-of-13 from the foul line and 1-of-1 from three-point range in the contest as Adrian erased a nine-point second-half deficit. Then, in an 86-73 win over Wisconsin-Lutheran on Saturday, Webster total 28 points (10-of-17 FG, 7-of-12 FT, 1-of-1 3FG) while adding 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Overall for the week, Webster shot 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the field, 68.0 percent (17-of-25) from the foul line and a perfect 100 percent (2-of-2) from beyond the arc. For his efforts, Webster was also named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Player of the Week.

Bourikas, a 5-8 senior guard from Hull, Mass., averaged 29 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in the Rams (7-2) two victories last week. In a 69-61 win at Fitchburg State on Thursday, Bourikas scored 30 points (26 in the second half) and added 11 rebounds, an assist and a steal. She shot 11-of-18 from the field, 3-of-3 from the foul line and 5-of-10 from three-point range in the contest. Then, in a 90-87 overtime victory at Framingham State on Saturday, Bourikas scored 28 points (17 in the third quarter) and totaled eight rebounds, five assists and a steal. She shot 10-of-18 from the field, 5-of-5 from the line and 3-of-8 from three-point land in the game. For the week, she shot 58.3 percent (21-of-36) from the field, a perfect 100 percent (8-of-8) from the foul line and 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from three-point range. For her efforts, Bourikas was also named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and New England Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (NEWBCA) Player of the Week.

Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the fourth 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.