CHARLOTTE, N.C.?UNC Asheville guard Lindsey Thompson has been named this week's New Balance Freshman of the Week by the Big South Conference office. Charleston Southern's Pam Tolbert was named the Choice Hotels Player of the Week.
Thompson, a guard from Copper Hill, Va., put in 11.7 points per game, shot 52 percent from the floor and 47 percent from downtown to lead her team to a 2-1 record on the week, including two Big South wins. She got her week started with 18 points on 55 percent form the floor and 57 percent from the beyond the arc in Asheville's win over Charleston Southern on Jan. 5. After scoring seven points against Carson-Newman, Thompson helped the Bulldogs to their second-straight Big South win as she hit 3-of-7 from the floor and 2-of-5 from downtown to finish with 10 points against Gardner-Webb. She also finished with five rebounds, two assists and two steals in the three-game span. The honor marks her first Freshman of the Week plaudit this season.
Tolbert, a senior from Powder Springs, Ga., averaged 26.0 points per game and shot 53 percent from the floor as her Lady Bucs went 1-1 on the week. Against UNC Asheville on Jan. 5, Tolbert connected on 12-of-24 from the floor and added three from the line to finish with 27 points against the Bulldogs. She also pulled down six caroms, dished out two helpers and came up with three steals. Five days later against Coastal Carolina, Tolbert shot 56 percent from the floor, hit 4-of-9 from three-point land and added three from the charity stripe to finish with 25 points in the win over the Chanticleers. The guard stayed busy in the win as she came up with four rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win. The honor marks her second Player of the Week nod this season.
UNC Asheville returns to the court on Monday night as it hosts Presbyterian in a 7 p.m. game. The game can be heard live in the Asheville area on AM-1310/970 WISE and will be video streamed at bigsouthsports.com.
