DALLAS – Southern Miss claimed its season’s first Conference USA Player of the Week accolade in junior Shonte Hailes. The guard’s scorching hot hand produced a career-high 33 points on a 61 percent shooting clip, driving the Golden Eagles to a win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Freshman of the Week Jada McMillian made the most of an opportunity to be part of Charlotte’s starting lineup as her career-high 20 points proved to be a game-changer in the 49ers’ seven-point victory at Old Dominion, their first C-USA road win of the season. The league’s Honor Roll selection was awarded to FIU’s Ce’Nara Skanes as she hauled in 15 points and 16 rebounds to pair with three steals, two blocks and two assists in the Panthers’ 56-49 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World.
 
Player of the Week
Shonte Hailes, Southern Miss
Junior, 5-6, G, Quitman, Miss.   
Hailes erupted for a career-high 33 points in Southern Miss’ 74-70 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The definition of an impact performance, the junior guard tied her career-high 11 field goals in 18 attempts, including four 3-pointers (4-8) and seven shots from the foul line in 39 minutes of play. Her stat line marked the 10^th outing this season she’s led her team in points and 13^th double-digit scoring output. Hailes’ previous career-high 30 points came against the Lady Techsters on the road as she now owns two 30-point performances against LA Tech. She also chipped in three assists, two rebounds and a steal in the win.
 
Freshman of the Week
Jada McMillian, Charlotte
Freshman, 5-7, G, Raleigh, N.C.
Another performance that made all the difference for her squad, McMillian responded impressively when called to the starting lineup for the first time. In a 60-53 victory at Old Dominion, the newcomer polished off a career-best, game-leading 20 points on 6-of-7 shots from the floor and a 7-for-12 showing at the free throw line. Five of her makes came from inside 3-point range, driving to the rim with no fear and showing maturity in her 29 minutes. She also registered an assist and a block as Charlotte came up victorious for the first time on the road in league play this year. The 49ers’ last road win came in November, but they got the job done on Saturday to secure the season sweep over the Monarchs for the second-straight year.

C-USA Players of the Week
N12:      Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee
N19:      Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech 
N26:     Katelynn Thomas, UAB
D3:       Terriell Bradley, North Texas
D10:     Taylor Porter, Marshall
D17:      Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
D24:     Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB
D31:      A’Queen Hayes, Middle Tennessee
J7:        Anisha George, North Texas
J14:      Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
            A’Queen Hayes, Middle Tennessee
J21:      Raneem Elgedawy, WKU
J28:      Nancy Mulkey, Rice
F4:       Erica Ogwumike, Rice
F11:      Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
             Erica Ogwumike, Rice
F18:      Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB
F25:     Shonte Hailes, Southern Miss

C-USA Freshmen of the Week
N12:      Jazmin Harris, Charlotte | Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
N19:      Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion 
N26:     Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
D3:       Keiunna Walker, Louisiana Tech
D10:     Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
D17:      Daishai Almond, Southern Miss
D24:     Jazmin Harris, Charlotte
D31:      Meral Abdelgawad, WKU
J7:        Meral Abdelgawad, WKU
J14:      Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
J21:      Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
            Meral Abdelgawad, WKU
J28:      Kelsey Jones, Southern Miss
F4:       Brianna Harris, Louisiana Tech
F11:       Ajah Wayne, Old Dominion
F18:      Charlene Shepherd, North Texas
F25:     Jada McMillian, Charlotte