Voorhees Pair, Dillard’s Ferguson, Oakwood’s Keys win Week 4 HBCUAC WBB Awards

NEW ORLEANS - November 18, 2024 - Voorhees University's Ty'Shemia Bunkley claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Nedisha Ford garners Defensive Player of the Week. Oakwood University's Saniya Keys wins Freshman of the Week and Dillard University's D'Mya Ferguson takes home Newcomer of the Week. The athletes were recognized for their performances between November 11 and 17, the conference announced on Monday.

Bunkley put up 49 points in two games last week. She tallied 25 points in the Tigers' conference-opening victory over Wilberforce University and put up 23 in a win over Clinton College. Bunkley hit 12 three-pointers for the week. She added six offensive rebounds and two assists against Clinton. She ranks third in the conference with 18 points per game.

Ford recorded double-digit rebounds against Clinton with 10 and recorded a steal. For the week, she had 17 rebounds in two victories. Ford ranks in the top 15 in the conference with 6.8 rebounds per game.

Keys picked up her fourth weekly honor. She averaged 12 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in two contests. She recorded 15 points and nine rebounds in the conference opener against Fisk. Keys leads the HBCUAC with 12.4 rebounds per game.

Ferguson averaged a double-double as Dillard started conference play 2-0. She posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a 66-55 victory over Wiley on Saturday. In Thursday's game at Philander Smith University, she recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Her performance on the boards moved her into fifth in the HBCUAC with 8.6 rebounds per game.

Additional women's basketball weekly nominees: Limaya Batimba (Stillman), Makaila Brown (Tougaloo), Keeli Burton-Oliver (Fisk), Talyia Cawthon (Rust), Beautiful Curry (Talladega), Kaelin Davis (Voorhees), Tamia Dolls (Wiley), Carlisha Enge (Talladega),  Brayland Ferguson (Tougaloo), McKenna Harris (SUNO), Kaylan Jack (SUNO), Samya Johnson (Philander Smith), Mya Jones (Wiley), Ashlyn Kimble (Philander Smith), DeJaria Lewis (Talladega), Cassidy Lowe (Dillard), Madison McDonald (Oakwood), Jaida Minter (Stillman), Cameryn Morris (Rust), Jessica Nerestant (Wiley), Rodreckia Parker (Tougaloo), Michaela Payton (Rust), Farrah Pearson (Stillman), Dee Scott (Fisk), Tierra Slyvas (SUNO),  Jakhiya Smith (SUNO), Dasia Turner (Philander Smith)

2024-25 Women's Basketball Players of the Week

-HBCUAC-

About HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.