ST LOUIS – For the second time this season Elyce Knudsen earned MVC Newcomer of the Week, as announced by the Valley office on Monday.
Knudsen led Illinois State with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a 74-58 win over Bradley on Sunday. With the performance Knudsen surpassed 2,500 points for her career, becoming one of just three active players with 2,500 career points. It was her second-consecutive 20+ point outing, after a season high 24 points at UIC Jan. 19.
She shot 8-for-12 (66.7%) from the field in the win, which is the only performance of 20+ points on better than 65% shooting by a newcomer in Valley play this season. Overall, it was Knudsen's second performance this season with 20+ points on better than 65% shooting. She is the only Valley newcomer to post multiple games this year with 20+ points and better than 65% shooting.
It marks the second time this season Knudsen has earned Valley Newcomer of the Week, after averaging 14.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Redbirds at the Gulf Coast Showcase. In a 23-point performance against New Mexico State Dec. 1, Knudsen scored 18 points over the final 11 minutes of the game to secure a win for Illinois State. It is the fourth time a Redbird has earned MVC Newcomer of the Week this year, as junior Addison Martin is also a two-time winner.
Knudsen is averaging 13.5 points per game on 46.6% shooting from the field this season. Knudsen ranks third in the MVC shooting 41.7% from deep on the year.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
