Cirillo Named NEWBA Player of the Week

HOLYOKE, Mass. 1/23/12 – Senior forward Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.) has been named the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) player of the week, as announced on Monday afternoon.  She was also named to the D3Hoops.com team of the week on Tuesday.

Cirillo averaged 23 points and 15 rebounds to power Keene State to Little East victories over Plymouth State and UMass Dartmouth. The senior forward from Windsor Locks, Conn. connected on 40 percent (10-for-25) of her attempts from the field and 92.9 percent (26-for-28) from the foul line. On Jan 17., Cirillo posted a double-double—17 points and 17 rebounds—to lead the Owls past the Panthers. Her 17 rebounds matched her career-high. Four days later, Cirillo established a new single-game record for Keene State by converting on each of her 17 attempts from the charity stripe. She also poured in a season-high 29 points and collected 13 caroms against the Corsairs.

Cirillo said her ability to drive got her to the line.  "When I saw openings, I just tried to take the ball to the basket," said Cirillo, who notched her seventh double-double of the season.  "I try to focus when I'm at the line.  My free throw shooting was off a few weeks ago, but I was on target today."

"Courtney put the team on her back," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher.  "She was getting to the rim and causing a lot of problems.  Any time you shoot 17-for-17 it's pretty incredible." 

For the game, KSC shot a scorching 28-30 from the stripe (93%) also setting a record for free throws made and free throw percentage.