Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Hayes earns second C-USA Freshman of Week honor
12/23/2019 1:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Guard enjoyed season-best effort in win vs. VCU
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee breakout performer Aislynn Hayes has been outstanding at the outset of her rookie campaign with the Lady Raiders and her most recent exploits were rewarded once again Monday.
Hayes collected her second Conference USA Freshman of the Week honor after muscling one of her best complete-game efforts to date, not to mention came against one of the nation's most lethal defenses in VCU.
It is the second such honor of the season for the hometown product who piled up a game-high 23 points on 6-of-10 field goals, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range in Middle Tennessee's 86-63 win. VCU came into the game ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense, third in field goal defensive percentage and sixth in 3-point defense; however, it had no answer for Hayes.
"Aislynn turned in a solid performance and is very deserving of this award," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "All of our guards played well, but Aislynn helped get us going in that first half. She's a special player who has really started well against a tough non-conference schedule."
Hayes' points and 3-pointers were season highs, while her six field goals and seven rebounds matched her season-best marks. It was Hayes' sixth game in double figures, including three of 20-plus points. She scored 15 of her 23 points in the first half, including 10 in the decisive second quarter when Middle Tennessee outscored VCU, 31-16, to take a 46-28 halftime lead.
"I appreciate this recognition from the conference," Hayes said. "The main thing is we are having a good non-conference schedule. We continue to improve as a team, but we can still be even better. It's exciting to be able to contribute to our team's success."
Hayes is fifth in C-USA for 3-pointers per game (2.2), seventh for assist/turnover ratio (1.3), seventh for minutes played (33.9), ninth for assists (3.0) and 20th for scoring (12.2).
Conference USA Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week are chosen by a vote of the league's 14 communications directors. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World.
Hayes collected her second Conference USA Freshman of the Week honor after muscling one of her best complete-game efforts to date, not to mention came against one of the nation's most lethal defenses in VCU.
It is the second such honor of the season for the hometown product who piled up a game-high 23 points on 6-of-10 field goals, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range in Middle Tennessee's 86-63 win. VCU came into the game ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense, third in field goal defensive percentage and sixth in 3-point defense; however, it had no answer for Hayes.
"Aislynn turned in a solid performance and is very deserving of this award," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "All of our guards played well, but Aislynn helped get us going in that first half. She's a special player who has really started well against a tough non-conference schedule."
Hayes' points and 3-pointers were season highs, while her six field goals and seven rebounds matched her season-best marks. It was Hayes' sixth game in double figures, including three of 20-plus points. She scored 15 of her 23 points in the first half, including 10 in the decisive second quarter when Middle Tennessee outscored VCU, 31-16, to take a 46-28 halftime lead.
"I appreciate this recognition from the conference," Hayes said. "The main thing is we are having a good non-conference schedule. We continue to improve as a team, but we can still be even better. It's exciting to be able to contribute to our team's success."
Hayes is fifth in C-USA for 3-pointers per game (2.2), seventh for assist/turnover ratio (1.3), seventh for minutes played (33.9), ninth for assists (3.0) and 20th for scoring (12.2).
Conference USA Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week are chosen by a vote of the league's 14 communications directors. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World.
Players Mentioned
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