Junior transfer Mary Sims is the MVC Newcome of the Week. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)
ST. LOUIS – Junior transfer Mary Sims was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday.
It is the first weekly honor for the Redbirds this season.
Sims had a career night against Bradley, Friday, netting 13 points. Sims was able to accomplish the feat, thanks to a career high in field goals made (5) and three-point field goals made (3). Sims also pulled down six rebounds against the Braves, one shy of tying a career-high, to go along with two assists and a steal in the contest.
Her career high in points didn’t last long, as Sims netted 22 points two days later against Loyola. Sims was 7-of-12 from the field in the game, but her unstoppable performance came in the first half, when she was nearly perfect in all shooting categories. In the first half, Sims was 7-of-8 from the field and a perfect 1-of-1 from three-point range and the free throw line for 16 first-half points. Sims ended the game with a perfect 7-of-7 showing from the free throw line, and pulled down a career-high eight rebounds. She also had an assist, block and two steals in Illinois State University’s first win of the season.
Over the weekend, Sims led the Redbirds in points per game (17.5) and rebounds per game (7.0). Through the first half of the Valley season, Sims is averaging 7.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game, which is the third best in both categories.
Lizzy Wendell from Drake was named the Valley Player of the Week for her performances against Missouri State and Wichita State.
Sims and the Redbirds will be back in action this weekend, as they host Northern Iowa (Feb. 6) and Drake (Feb. 8). ISU’s game against UNI is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m., tip-off, while Sunday’s game against Drake will be the fifth-annual Play4Kay game.
