Rust, SUNO, Fisk, Tougaloo garner Week 5 WBB Awards

NEW ORLEANS - Rust College's Patsy Johnson claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Offensive Player of the Week. Southern University at New Orleans' Jakhiya Smith wins Defensive Player of the Week. Fisk University's Ari Branch takes home Freshman of the Week. Tougaloo College's Shalayne Morgan earns Newcomer of the Week. The women were recognized for their performance between November 17-23.

Johnson recorded two 20-plus point scoring games this week, leading the Lady Bearcats to two victories including in their HBCUAC Opener against Wilberforce University on Thursday. In Tuesday's victory over Crowley's Ridge College, Johnson put up 21 points, hitting eight shots, including five 3-pointers. She added three assists. Against Wilberforce, Johnson put up 28 points and six assists.

Smith was incredible in the paint, helping the Lady Knights to a split in their first two conference games. In Thursday's win over Huston-Tillotson, 12 of Smith's 19 rebounds were on the defensive end. She added four blocks, one which sealed the game. Against Paul Quinn on Saturday, she added five defensive rebounds. Smith ranks third in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with 1.6 blocks per game. Her play has helped SUNO get off to their best start since 2012-13.

Branch recorded three double-digit performances, helping Fisk take their conference opener on Thursday. In Tuesday's game against Bethel University, she scored 15 points adding a rebound and an assist. Branch put up 21 points against Voorhees University on Thursday. She hit six shots and went 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Branch recorded four assists and two steals. In Saturday's game against Talladega, she scored 10 points, adding three rebounds and three assists.

Morgan averaged 22 points per game in two contests last week. She scored a career-high 28 points in Tougaloo's HBCUAC opener against Philander Smith on Thursday. Morgan followed with 16 points and four rebounds against Wiley University. For the week she averaged 4.5 rebounds and two steals. 

Additional women's basketball weekly nominees: Trenisha Adams (Oakwood), Bre'Nai Amos (Tougaloo), Lauren Bennett (Rust), Harmonie Bolton (Fisk), Makaila Brown (Tougaloo), Shykiera Brown (Voorhees), Zaire Brown (Paul Quinn), Wilashia Burleson (Huston-Tillotson), Talyia Cawthon (Rust), Olympia Chaney (Talladega), Kierra Diggs (Voorhees), Tamia Dolls (Paul Quinn), Kimmya Epps (Voorhees), D'Mya Ferguson (Dillard), Alexis Foster (Wiley), Jae Harris (Rust), Jordan Harris (Stillman), Samya Johnson (Philander Smith), Mya Jones (Stillman), Azaria Knox (Dillard), Kayla Lee (Fisk), Erin Love (Wiley), Courtney Lowe (Talladega), Tierra Slyvas (SUNO), Kayla Terry (Dillard), Miracle Thomas (Philander Smith), Jayla West Young (Stillman)

2025-26 HBCUAC Women's Basketball Players of the Week

About the 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), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), 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 soccer, 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.