Fisk claims Week 9 HBCUAC Women's Basketball Awards
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.
