ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Gift Uchenna of the Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday.
Uchenna posted 34 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field, 17 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in SIU’s 85-80 win over IU Indy on Saturday. The 34 points are tied for the sixth most in a single game in program history.
The junior’s 13 field goals made are the most by a Valley player in a game this season, while her 17 rebounds are the second most. Uchenna’s double-double is the first by a Saluki in 2024-25.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Uchenna also scored 16 points in 16 minutes at home against the University of Louisiana Monroe on Nov. 13, to go along with five rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Uchenna shot a combined 20-of-31 (0.645) from the field in SIU’s two-game week.
Southern Illinois will be back in action on Monday, Nov. 25, when it travels to Southeast Missouri State at 6:30 p.m.
