Villegas named NSIC Women's Basketball Player of the Week

BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary's Corrie Villegas was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her outstanding play in the Marauders' Northland Financial Classic last week. In three games, Villegas averaged 20.3 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game as U-Mary won two contests. The senior center from Polson shot 62.2 percent from the field, including 7-of-10 on treys, and hit all eight of her free throw attempts.

In a 79-72 win over Montana State University-Northern, Villegas scored 30 points, hitting 5-of-6 threes and 12-of-18 shots overall from the field. She recorded a double doubles with 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 78-72 loss to Montana Tech and scored 15 points with seven rebounds in an 81-49 win over Rocky Mountain College.

"Corrie did a good job mixing her perimeter and inside game," said Marauders Head Coach Fred Fridley. "She's a tough match-up for teams and forces them to defend her both inside and out. Corrie also played tremendous defense, probably her best work of the year, and rebounded well all week. This was the most consistent week she's had this season covering all facets of her game - defense, offense and rebounding."

The fourth-leading scorer in the NSIC, Villegas is averaging 16.5 points per game. She is second in the NSIC in both three-point shooting percentage (47.9 percent) and treys made per game (2.62). Villegas averages 6.3 rebounds per game and is shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 78.9 percent from the free throw line.

Villegas is the second Marauders player to earn this honor in U-Mary's first season competing in the NSIC. Nicci Landdeck won the award three weeks earlier. Villegas is the daughter of CloAnn Westerman of Charlo and Dennis Villegas of Polson.

The Marauders, 6-7 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC, return to conference play this weekend when U-Mary travels to Concordia-St. Paul on Friday and MSU-Moorhead on Saturday.