INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Matthew Mancuso of the University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.) and Katelyn Pickunka of Smith College (Northampton, Mass.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending November 24.
Mancuso, a 6-7 senior forward from Bridgewater, N.J., recorded two double-doubles (one of the 20-20 variety), as Scranton (4-1) won both of its road games last week. In the Royals' 91-62 victory over Wilkes College on Wednesday, Mancuso scored 19 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, recorded three assists, had two steals, and added two blocks. Then on Saturday against host Cabrini University, he posted career highs of 38 points and 22 rebounds – the second-highest total in NCAA Division III this season – while adding four assists, two steals and two blocks in a 93-86 win. Over the final 2:32 of the contest, he scored eight points and collected five rebounds as Scranton held on for the victory. For the week, Mancuso averaged 28.5 points, 19.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, two steals, and two blocks per game. He shot 56.7 percent (17-of-30) from the field, 80 percent (4-of-5) from three-point range and 76 percent (19-of-25) from the foul line. For his efforts, Mancuso Ross was also named the Landmark Conference Player of the Week.
Pickunka, a 5-9 sophomore forward from Westhampton, Mass., helped lead undefeated Smith (5-0, receiving votes D3hoops.com) to victories in both of its games last week. In the Pioneers' 62-52 home win against New England College on Wednesday, Pickunka scored 18 points, collected seven rebounds and added a steal. She shot 66.7 percent from both the field (8-of-12) and the foul line (2-of-3) in the contest. Then, at The Sage Colleges on Saturday, she double-doubled with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while adding four blocks and a steal. Again, her aim was deadly as she connected on all seven of her field goal attempts and 11 of her 12 (91.6 percent) free throws. For the week, Pickunka averaged 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal. She shot 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the field and 86.6 percent (13-of-15) from the foul line. Pickunka, who is currently fourth in NCAA Division III with a 73.2 percent (41-56) field goal percentage, was also named the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Offensive and Defensive Performer of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the sixth 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 Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
2019-20 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
Week ending Nov. 10: Nate Schimonitz, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Tessa Zamolyi, Misericordia University
· Week ending Nov. 17: Jake Ross, Springfield College and Leah Porath, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
· Week ending Nov. 24: Matthew Mancuso, University of Scranton and Katelyn Pickunka, Smith College
· Week ending Dec. 1: Hunter Martineau, Hilbert College and Sydney Kopp, DePauw University
· Week ending Dec. 8: Jared Wagner, York College and Amina Wiley, Mitchell College
· Week ending Dec. 15: Eric Demers, Gordon College and Alexis Jones, Augustana College
· Week ending Jan. 5: Tyler Frederick, La Roche University and Katie Garrish, Southern Virginia University
· Week ending Jan. 12: Chris LaBelle, Centenary University and Olivia Nagy, John Carroll University
· Week ending Jan. 19: Sam Jefferson, Colby College and Dejah Terrell, Albright College
· Week ending Jan. 26: Nate West, LeTourneau University and Taite Anderson, Bethel University
· Week ending Feb. 2: Brian Cameron, Wesley College and Abbey Lawrence, Case Western Reserve University
· Week ending Feb. 9: Jake Ross, Springfield College and Katie McShea, Marymount University
· Week ending Feb. 16: Isaiah Brown, SUNY Potsdam and Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda, Emmanuel College
· Week ending Feb. 23: Nate West, LeTourneau University and Shyla Osmond, Albertus Magnus College
· Week ending March 1: Gabriel Leifer, Yeshiva University and Kelly Williams, Randolph-Macon College