OVC Weekly honors handed to Tech's Stribling, Hensley
Their teams unbeaten and in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference races, Tennessee Tech's Derek Stribling and Marissa Hensley have received weekly honors from the league office for their performances in Tech's sweeps last week.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Their teams unbeaten and in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference races, Tennessee Tech's Derek Stribling and Marissa Hensley have received weekly honors from the league office for their performances in Tech's sweeps last week.
Stribling, a junior from Winter Haven, Fla., was named the OVC Men's Newcomer of the Week, while Hensley, from Gainesboro, Tenn., was picked as the Women's Freshman of the Week.
In capturing his first weekly honor from the league, Stribling helped the Golden Eagles remain unbeaten atop the OVC standings with wins over Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky. He led Tech in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game, while grabbing 5.5 rebounds per game and shooting 58.3 percent from the floor.
A transfer from the University of Tennessee who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Stribling opened the week with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals against Morehead State in a 63-40 win on Thursday night. Two nights later, he had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists in a 78-64 victory over EKU.
For the week, Stribling shot 14-of-24 from the field and 6-for-7 (85.7 percent) at the free throw line.
Other OVC awards in men's hoops went to Dainmon Gonner of Southeast Missouri as Player of the Week, and Reiley Ervin of Tennessee State as Freshman of the Week.
In women's action, Hensley made the first two starts of her Eaglette career and led Tech in scoring in wins over Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky. She averaged 20 points per game, along with five rebounds and three assists while shooting 46.4 percent from the field including 4-for-8 from long distance.
Against MSU, Hensley recorded a career-high 28 points and grabbed six boards. In the win over Eastern Kentucky, she had 12 points and four rebounds.
Hensley is the third Eaglette to win Freshman of the Week honors this season. Kristina Tyler won the honor once and Stefanie Holbrook has been selected twice.
Joining Hensley in receiving the league's awards were Eastern Illinois' Megan Sparks as Player of the Week and Jessie Hirsch of Murray State as Newcomer of the Week.
The Tech teams travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to play Southeast Missouri Thursday, then visit Eastern Illinois Saturday.
