LITTLE ROCK – Thanks to a career-best 29 points on Saturday against South Alabama and another 16 points on Thursday against Troy, senior guard
Sharde' Collins was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week on Monday.
Collins' offensive prowess came at a terrific time for the Trojans, as Little Rock picked up victories against Troy and South Alabama to remain undefeated in conference play at 7-0. Little Rock also took over sole possession of first place in the league when it defeated Troy. Both teams entered that game on Thursday at 5-0 in the Sun Belt.
In that game, Collins finished second on the Little Rock roster in scoring with 16 points, draining 7 of 19 attempts from the field. She also made two 3-pointers, grabbed three rebounds and had one assist and one steal in 38 minutes.
The real fireworks came on Saturday against South Alabama. In that game, Collins shot lights-out from the start, tallying 16 points in the first half and added 13 more in the second. The senior finished the game shooting 12 of 21 from the field, setting a new career high for points and made field goals. Collins was 3 of 7 from the 3-point line and also had three assists in 39 minutes.
All told for the week, Collins scored 45 points and shot 47.5 percent from the field, making 19 total field goals.
This honor is the first of Collins' career and the third for Little Rock this season. Collins' classmate, senior forward
Kaitlyn Pratt, won Player of the Week honors from the conference on December 6 and January 9.
Collins and the rest of the Trojans are on the road this week for the first time since January 7. On Thursday, Little Rock will face ULM in Monroe, La. That game will be followed by a Saturday-evening contest at Louisiana.
