Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Hayes makes history with third National Freshman of Week
2/4/2020 10:51:00 AM | Women's Basketball, BRAA
Also named Tennessee Sports Writers Player of the Week
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Aislynn Hayes is enjoying quite a debut season for Middle Tennessee.
The heralded freshman is also making waves nationally.
Hayes was named the United States Basketball Writers Association Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week Tuesday, becoming the first player ever to win the award three times.
Hayes was also named the Tennessee Sports Writer Player of the Week Tuesday.
The point guard was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for the fourth time Monday.
"I'm truly honored and also unsure of what to say," Hayes said. "There are so many exceptional freshmen basketball players across the country so to be recognized in this way is special to me. The biggest thing, for me, is that our team won two big Conference USA basketball games."
Hayes is amongst C-USA leaders in several categories, including minutes (3rd, 35.8), 3-point field goals made (5th, 2.0), assist-turnover ratio (9th, 1.1) and assists (10th, 3.1).
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.
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.
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 in double figures this season. She has scored in ever game of her young college career.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and the Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winners will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event in New Orleans, site of the 2020 NCAA Women's Final Four.
The heralded freshman is also making waves nationally.
Hayes was named the United States Basketball Writers Association Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week Tuesday, becoming the first player ever to win the award three times.
Hayes was also named the Tennessee Sports Writer Player of the Week Tuesday.
The point guard was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week for the fourth time Monday.
"I'm truly honored and also unsure of what to say," Hayes said. "There are so many exceptional freshmen basketball players across the country so to be recognized in this way is special to me. The biggest thing, for me, is that our team won two big Conference USA basketball games."
Hayes is amongst C-USA leaders in several categories, including minutes (3rd, 35.8), 3-point field goals made (5th, 2.0), assist-turnover ratio (9th, 1.1) and assists (10th, 3.1).
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.
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.
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 in double figures this season. She has scored in ever game of her young college career.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and the Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winners will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event in New Orleans, site of the 2020 NCAA Women's Final Four.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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