Fisk claims Week 9 HBCUAC Women's Basketball Awards

Fisk was one of the only HBCUAC teams in action last week.

December 22, 2025

NEW ORLEANS - Fisk University guard Ari Branch wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week. Kayla Lee garners Defensive Player of the Week. Harmonie Bolton earns Newcomer of the Week. The women were recognized for their performance between December 15-21, the conference announced on Monday.

Branch led the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points against Saint Xavier University on Thursday. She hit seven shots and converted seven of eight free throws. Branch raised her scoring average to 12.9 points per game. She also contributed two rebounds and three steals. This is her fourth weekly honor.

Lee provided five steals and three rebounds in Thursday's game. Three of her steals helped Fisk tie the game entering the fourth quarter. This is Lee's third honor.

Bolton posted 14 points, four rebounds and three steals. She hit two 3-pointers that helped Fisk rally in the third quarter. It was her fifth double-digit scoring game this season, as she improved her average to 8.2 points per game.

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

Date	Offensive	Defensive	Freshman	Newcomer
Oct. 20-26	Brandy Jones, Wiley	Wilhasia Burleson, Huston-Tillotson	Camille Miles, Talladega	Brandy Jones, Wiley
Oct. 27-Nov. 2	Kayla Lee, Fisk	Keshara Romain, Virgin Islands	Katelynn Wilson, SUNO	Keshara Romain, Virgin Islands
Nov. 3-9	Wilashia Burleson, Huston-Tillotson	Wilhasia Burleson, Huston-Tillotson	Katelynn Wilson, SUNO	Jordan Harris, Stillman
Nov. 10-16	Kierra Diggs, Voorhees	Hannah Cornelius, SUNO	Bre'Nai Amos, Tougaloo	Shalayne Morgan, Tougaloo
Nov. 17-23	Patsy Johnson, Rust	Jakhiya Smith, SUNO	Ari Branch, Fisk	Shalayne Morgan, Tougaloo
Nov. 24-30	Kelechi Dike, Wiley	Kelechi Dike, Wiley	Bre'Nai Amos, Tougaloo	Alexis Foster, Wiley
Dec. 1-7	Saniya Keys, Oakwood	Makaila Brown, Tougaloo	Bre'Nai Amos, Tougaloo	Moriah Burley, Wiley
Dec. 8-14	Jaida Minter, Stillman	Kayla Lee, Fisk	Ari Branch, Fisk	Zaire Brown, Paul Quinn
Dec. 15-21	Ari Branch, Fisk	Kayla Lee, Fisk	Ari Branch, Fisk	Harmonie Bolton, Fisk

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.