Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Aislynn Hayes C-USA Freshman of the Week
2/3/2020 1:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball, BRAA
Fourth time guard has been so honored
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Aislynn Hayes has been named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season after stellar performances in two Lady Raider wins last week.
Hayes averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in wins against UTEP and UTSA while establishing career highs for points in consecutive games. Not only was Hayes strong on the offensive end, but she also provided staunch defense against UTEP's Katia Gallegos and UTSA's Mikayla Woods.
"I appreciate the recognition. I was just trying to do my best to help the team win two big conference games," Hayes said. "My teammates put me in good position, and I was fortunate to be able to come through. There are a lot of good freshmen in the conference playing key roles so it is quite an honor to win this award."
Four of the league's top freshmen were involved in the two Middle Tennessee games last week: Hayes and Courtney Whitson for Middle Tennessee; Gallegos for UTEP; and Woods at UTSA.
Gallegos entered the game against Middle Tennessee averaging 10 points and leading C-USA with five assists per game for UTEP; however, Hayes held her to five points and no assists. Woods was UTSA's leading scorer with 16.1 points per game, but Hayes held her to six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
"I believe my defense is improving with every practice and game," Hayes said. "We put some much emphasis on our defense, especially team defense, so it's good to see some positive results."
Going into a pivotal conference clash with UTEP on Thursday, Hayes dedicated her game to childhood hero Kobe Bryant and then responded with a career-high 24 points in a key Lady Raider win. In addition to the 24 points, Hayes added six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hayes also set a career high for free throws, connecting on 12 of her 16 attempts.
Hayes would be just as crucial in the win against UTSA. With sister Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee's leading scorer, out of the game following a root canal, Aislynn Hayes responded with another career-best performance with 25 points on the strength of 10 field goals, also a career high.
Hayes has six games of 20-plus points and 15 total in double figures this season.
C-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 averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in wins against UTEP and UTSA while establishing career highs for points in consecutive games. Not only was Hayes strong on the offensive end, but she also provided staunch defense against UTEP's Katia Gallegos and UTSA's Mikayla Woods.
"I appreciate the recognition. I was just trying to do my best to help the team win two big conference games," Hayes said. "My teammates put me in good position, and I was fortunate to be able to come through. There are a lot of good freshmen in the conference playing key roles so it is quite an honor to win this award."
Four of the league's top freshmen were involved in the two Middle Tennessee games last week: Hayes and Courtney Whitson for Middle Tennessee; Gallegos for UTEP; and Woods at UTSA.
Gallegos entered the game against Middle Tennessee averaging 10 points and leading C-USA with five assists per game for UTEP; however, Hayes held her to five points and no assists. Woods was UTSA's leading scorer with 16.1 points per game, but Hayes held her to six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
"I believe my defense is improving with every practice and game," Hayes said. "We put some much emphasis on our defense, especially team defense, so it's good to see some positive results."
Going into a pivotal conference clash with UTEP on Thursday, Hayes dedicated her game to childhood hero Kobe Bryant and then responded with a career-high 24 points in a key Lady Raider win. In addition to the 24 points, Hayes added six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Hayes also set a career high for free throws, connecting on 12 of her 16 attempts.
Hayes would be just as crucial in the win against UTSA. With sister Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee's leading scorer, out of the game following a root canal, Aislynn Hayes responded with another career-best performance with 25 points on the strength of 10 field goals, also a career high.
Hayes has six games of 20-plus points and 15 total in double figures this season.
C-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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