ST. LOUIS – Kennedy Taylor of Missouri State women’s basketball earned her third Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honor of the season, the league announced today.
Taylor led the way for Missouri State last week as the Lady Bears picked up wins against SIU and UIC to extend their win streak to five games. The sophomore averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the two victories while dishing out seven total assists, pulling down 10 offensive boards, and shooting 56 percent (14-for-25) from the field in just under 50 total minutes on the floor.
On Saturday afternoon against UIC, Taylor exploded for a career-high 25 points, six assists, and 12 field goals, while tying her career mark of 15 rebounds. With her performance, she became the first Lady Bear since Aubrey Buckley on Feb. 4, 2018 to post at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game.
She took over in the second half as Missouri State mounted a come-from-behind win, scoring 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field and grabbing eight rebounds in the final 20 minutes.
In Wednesday night’s win at SIU, Taylor scored six points, grabbed four rebounds, and collected an assist and steal in 18 minutes of work against the Salukis.
With eight offensive boards against the Flames and 10 on the week, Taylor continues to lead the Valley and ranks 18th nationally with 3.9 offensive rebounds per game, while the first-year Lady Bear now owns three 20-point games, seven double-doubles and 13 double-digit scoring performances on the season. In Missouri Valley Conference games, Taylor nearly averages a double-double with 13 points and a league-leading 9.8 rebounds per game against MVC foes.
This marks Taylor’s third and MSU’s sixth MVC newcomer honor of the season. Missouri State also earned its first Player of the Week honor last week courtesy of Sydney Wilson to bring its season total to seven awards.
MSU will hit the road next week as the Lady Bears travel to take on Bradley on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., before closing the road trip with a matchup at Illinois State on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
