Dec. 18, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. - After leading the Redbirds to their fifth consecutive victory with a 68-55 decision over Eastern Michigan Sunday, freshman forward Kenyatta Shelton earned her second Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week nod of the season. The award marks ISU's league-high fourth individual weekly honor of the 2006-07 campaign.
In the Redbirds' only action of the week, Shelton recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds against the Eagles. In a team-high 38 minutes, Shelton shot at a 73 percent clip (8-for-11) for the game, including a perfect 6-for-6, game-high 14-point effort in the first half.
Of her 10 caroms, six were on the offensive end. Shelton has led the Redbirds in scoring in three games, and has been the top ISU rebounder in seven individual contests.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was pleased to see Shelton's hard work being recognized for a second time this season.
"This is just the second of many similar awards for Kenyatta," said Pingeton. "We are blessed to have a very talented freshmen class as part our program this season, and the fact that two of them are starting proves how valuable and poised of a group they are. Kenyatta is a tireless worker, and a tenacious rebounder. She was really a dominant force in the paint yesterday (against EMU) in what was a very important win for us heading into a tough road stretch. I expect Kenyatta to only get better as this season and her career moves on."
Shelton has started all nine games for Illinois State this season. She is averaging a team-best 13.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 52 percent (.514) from the field.
Shelton's Newcomer of the Week award marks ISU's second in as many weeks. Freshman guard Maggie Krick earned the accolade last week, while sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone was anointed Valley Player of the Week.
