ST LOUIS – Illinois State guard Shannon Dowell brought home the first MVC weekly award of her career, earning MVC Freshman of the Week honors as announced by the league office Wednesday morning.
Dowell is the first Redbird to earn an MVC Weekly honor this season and also first Redbird to ever win MVC Freshman of the Week, as the honor was introduced by the league office prior to the start of this season. She is also the first Redbird not named Paige Robinson, who was tabbed MVC Player of the Week once and MVC Newcomer of the Week four times last season, to earn an MVC Weekly honor since March of 2022.
Dowell set career-bests in points, minutes and rebounds in a strong all-around performance as Illinois State beat Saint Louis to close its non-conference slate last week. She scored 13 points, her third game this season in double figures, and paired it with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal against the Billikens. Dowell also hit seven free throws, a best for her short career, going 7-for-8 at the line. Dowell played the final seven minutes in the game as Illinois State held off the Billikens. Her key three-point play at the 6:28 mark of the fourth quarter put Illinois State up 75-68 and swung the momentum back in favor of the Redbirds.
The Redbirds open MVC play Saturday at CEFCU Arena as Illinois State hosts Bradley for the final contest of 2023. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
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