This week, Iowa’s Megan Gustafson, Nebraska’s Kate Cain, and Purdue’s Karissa McLaughlin have the honor of being the first weekly honorees of the 2017-2018 Big Ten season.
In Iowa’s 83-67 and 104-97 wins over Quinnipiac and Western Kentucky, Gustafson averaged 25.5 points, 16 rebounds, and shot 67.7 percent from the field. In Iowa’s season opener, Gustafson also surpassed the 1,000 career point mark on Saturday against the season opener against Quinnipiac. She became the 35th Hawkeye to accomplish this in Hawkeye history. Earning Big Ten player of the week is the seventh weekly honor of Gustafson’s career.
Iowa had a come-from-behind win over the Western Kentucky Bobcats, but Gustafson had 7 of her 15 rebounds late in the fourth quarter. Her experience alone is why Iowa is an important piece to the team.
Nebraska’s Kate Cain registered 18 points and nine rebounds in their 62-53 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Saturday. She also recorded three blocks in the victory. This is her first honoree as co-freshman of the week in her career. The last Nebraska Husker to win the award was Hannah Whitish on February 20 of this year.
Purdue’s Karissa McLaughlin tallied a team-high 21 points and five assists in their 79-69 win over Central Michigan Friday night. McLaughlin initially struggled in the beginning of the game. She scored six points in the first half, but her 15 point surge in the second half helped the Boilermakers to their first win of the season. She also created four steals in the win as well.