Muhammad recognized as NSAA Defensive Player of the Week

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bellevue University sophomore forward Zakiyyah Muhammad (Omaha, Neb.) has been named the North Star Athletic Association's Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Muhammad averaged 11.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last week while shooting 50% from the floor and 65% from the free throw line. She registered at least a steal and a block in each of BU's three games on the week.

She scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, one steal, and one block against College of Saint Mary on Monday.

Over the weekend, she posted back-to-back double-doubles with 15 points and 14 boards against #22 Mayville State before going for 10 points and hauling in 10 rebounds against Valley City. She nabbed three steals and blocked a pair of shots against the Vikings.

As a team, Bellevue limited held their three opponents to an average of 56.7 points per game on just 37% shooting, including 28% from three. The Bruins finished the week +15 in turnovers and +27 on the glass.

For the season, Muhammad is averaging 8.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, the latter of which is good for fifth in the NSAA. Her 50% mark from the floor leads the team as do her 14 blocked shots which are good for third in the conference.

The Bruins play exhibition road games this week at Emporia State (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.) and Nebraska Omaha (Wednesday, 6 p.m.).