INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Spencer Swanson of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minn.) and Brooke Guiffre of Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending January 29.
Swanson, a 6-5 forward from Waconia, Minn., averaged a double-double as Gustavus Adolphus won both of its games last week. In a 96-92 overtime victory against Bethel on Wednesday, he scored a career-high 38 points (15-of-21 FG, 6-of-10 FT, 2-of-2 3FG), including 13 of his team’s 17 points in overtime. Swanson also collected eight rebounds, recorded three assists, had two steals, and added a block in the contest. Then on Saturday at Augsburg, he finished with 27 points (12-of-20 FG, 3-of-3 FT), 14 rebounds, a steal and a block in an 84-82 win. Over the two games, Swanson averaged 32.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 65.9 percent (27-of-41) from the field, 69.2 percent (9-of-13) from the foul line and 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from three-point range. For his efforts, Swanson was also named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Offensive Player of the Week.
Guiffre, a 5-9 senior guard from Wellesley, Mass., helped lead the Cardinals to three victories last week. In Monday’s 86-40 romp over Lesley, she had five points (2-of-5 FG, 1-of-4 3FG), two rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks in only 23 minutes. On Friday, Guiffre had 23 points (7-of-9 FG, 5-of-6 FT, 4-of-5 3FG), including the clinching free throws with 18 seconds remaining, as Wesleyan snapped a 32-game losing streak to Amherst. She added four rebounds, four assists and four steals in the 65-61 victory. Then on Saturday, Guiffre scored a career-high 32 points (11-of-15 FG, 4-of-4 FT, 6-of-7 3FG), including two free throws with three ticks remaining, and added three rebounds, five assists and six steals in 74-73 victory over Hamilton. For the week, she averaged 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks while shooting 68.9 percent (20-of-29) from the field, 90.0 percent (9-of-10) from the foul line and 68.7 percent (11-of-16) from long distance. For her efforts, Guiffre was also selected the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) 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 eighth 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.