INDIANAPOLIS (UBSWA) – Jalen Overway of Calvin University (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Caitlyn Scott of Albertus Magnus College (New Haven, Conn.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 21.
Overway, a 6-10 sophomore center from Holland, Mich., averaged a double-double to help lead No. 4 (D3hoops.com) Calvin to a pair of home victories. On Wednesday against Hope, Overway produced a double-double of 14 points (4-of-11 FG, 5-of-6 FT, 1-of-5 3FG) and 12 rebounds, while adding three assists and two blocks in the Knights’ 69-61 victory. On Saturday vs. Alma, he scored a career-high 42 points (16-of-27 FG, 6-of-8 FT, 4-of-4 3FG), the sixth-highest total in school history and the eighth-highest one-game total in NCAA Division III this season. Overway added 13 rebounds, three assists and a block in the 89-63 win. For the week, he averaged 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 52.6 percent (20-of-38) from the field, 78.5 percent (11-of-14) from the foul line and 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from three-point range. For his efforts, Overway was also named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Player of the Week.
Scott, a 5-3 senior guard from White Plains, N.Y., produced some late-game heroics to lead Albertus Magnus to a pair of come-from-behind victories. On Tuesday, the Falcons trailed Johnson & Wales 52-46 entering the fourth quarter. Scott’s three-pointer tied the score at 60-60, and her four free throws down the stretch clinched her team’s 67-65 win. Scott finished with 20 points (5-of-10 FG, 8-of-10 FT, 2-of-5 3FG), five rebounds, six assists, and a steal in the game. Then, against Rivier on Saturday, with her team again trailing by six heading into the final quarter, she scored 15 of her season-high 36 points (13-of-25 FG, 8-of-9 FT, 2-of-5 3FG) as Albertus Magnus pulled out the 84-72 win. Scott added seven rebounds, two assists and steal in the victory. For the week, she averaged 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 51.4 percent (18-of-35) from the field, 84.2 percent (16-of-19) from the foul line and 40.0 percent (4-of-10) from three-point range. For her efforts, Scott was also selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the ninth season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
2023-24 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Dec. 3: Jeff Hunter, Keene State; Natalie Anderson, Trinity (Texas)
• Week ending Dec. 10: Jordan Oates, Salisbury; Lauren Klieber, Neumann
• Week ending Dec. 17: Bryant Smith, Manchester; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee
• Week ending Dec. 31: Davidson Hubbard, Hampden-Sydney; Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY-New Paltz
• Week ending Jan. 7: Khai Seargeant, Virginia Wesleyan; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee
• Week ending Jan. 14: Calvin Williams IV, St. Thomas; Arieona Rosborough, Mary Hardin-Baylor
• Week ending Jan. 21: Jalen Overway, Calvin; Caitlyn Scott, Albertus Magnus