POW Award to Nwagbaraocha

Vashti Nwagbaraocha (file photo)

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) was rewarded for having a career week as she was named Heart of America Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday.

Nwagbaraocha collected her first laurel of the season (second of her career) as she guided the Statesmen (12-4, 6-1 Heart) to a pair of wins last week.

The junior opened her week with an amazing performance against Grand View, tallying career highs in points (30) and rebounds (17). She also added five assists, three blocks, and three steals–all team highs.

Her week was capped with another near double-double of 21 point and nine rebounds versus Culver-Stockton. She matched a career high with seven steals in the victory, while also recording three assists and two blocks.

Nwagbaraocha shot 65.5% from the field (19-for-29) and 72.2% at the line (13-for-18).

For the year, she is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds, both of which are team highs. The forward has also notched 23 assists, 42 steals, and 12 blocks, while shooting 59.9% from the field and 70.4% at the line. Nationally, Nwagbaraocha is third in field-goal percentage.

The award is the first for the team this year.