Jones Named Big South Freshman Of The Week For The Third Time

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BigSouthSports.com) – Radford's Da'Naria Erwin Spencer has been named the Big South Conference Women's Basketball Choice Hotels Player of the Week, while Shonese Jones of UNC Asheville was tabbed The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week for games played Jan. 24-30, the League announced today.

Erwin Spencer, a junior from Charlotte, N.C., averaged 21 points and shot 50 percent from the floor to lead the Highlanders to a pair of League wins last week. She got her week started with 21 points on 55 percent from the floor, one from downtown and a perfect 8-of-8 from the stripe to lead Radford to the 63-50 win over Gardner-Webb on Jan. 28. Two days later against UNC Asheville, the guard stayed hot as she connected on 47 percent from the floor and 7-of-8 from the line to finish with 21 points, including nine-straight points late in regulation to push Radford to the 72-62 win over the Bulldogs. In the two-game span, Erwin Spencer also chipped in five assists, five steals, three boards and a block. The honor marks her third Big South Player of the Week nod this season.

Jones, a guard from Etowah, N.C., averaged 24.5 points per contest over two games against Liberty and Radford. Jones started the week with a team-high 19 points against the Lady Flames on Jan. 28, followed by a career-high 30 points against the Highlanders. She connected on 43 percent from the floor on the week, to go along with 7-of-14 from long range. Jones also came away with four helpers, four rebounds and a pair of steals in the two-game span. The award marks her third Freshman of the Week plaudit this season.

Jones was also named the Big South Conference Women's Basketball Choice Hotels Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 21.

Also nominated for women's basketball Player of the Week for Week 11: Tonisha Baker (Campbell), Rachelle Coward (Charleston Southern), Shatia Cole (Coastal Carolina), Cheyenne Parker (High Point), Devon Brown (Liberty), Karlee Taylor (Presbyterian College), Shonese Jones (UNC Asheville) and Dequesha McClanahan (Winthrop).

Also nominated for women's basketball Freshman of the Week for Week 11: Shatia Cole (Coastal Carolina) and Reagan Miller (Liberty).