ST. LOUIS – Lacy Stokes of Missouri State women’s basketball has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week for the fourth time this season, the league announced today (Jan. 9).
Stokes helped lead Missouri State to victories over Valparaiso and UIC as the Lady Bears remained undefeated in MVC play. She averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in MSU’s two wins, while dishing out a team-leading nine assists (4.5/game) and collecting a team-high six steals (3.0/game) on the week. Stokes also owned a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and went a combined 7-for-9 from the charity stripe.
In Thursday night’s win against Valparaiso, she scored 11 points, pulled down a season-high seven rebounds and dished out a game-high five assists. Stokes also added a steal and went 5-for-7 from the free throw line versus the Beacons. In Saturday afternoon’s victory over UIC, she scored six points and grabbed four rebounds while tallying four assists and tying her season high with a game-high five steals. She also went 2-for-2 at the free throw line, both coming in a crucial fourth quarter as MSU went on to win by just one point.
The junior from Mount Vernon, Mo. also helped anchor a Missouri State defense that held both Valpo and UIC to 50 points or less as MSU extended its current win streak to six games. Stokes ranks 2nd in the MVC and 62nd nationally with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Lady Bears will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 11 as they travel to face Bradley. Tipoff against the Braves is set for 6 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.