By Brian Ramsey
OBU Sports Information

RUSSELLVILLE — The leading scorer in all of NCAA Division II has been named the Great American Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Ouachita Baptist University’s Aspen Thornton has earned this week’s GAC honor after averaging 32.5 points per game in a 1-1 week for the Tigers.

The freshman from Hot Springs started the week with a modern day, school record 43 points in a 90-84 loss at Arkansas Tech this past Thursday. She made 14-of-25 shots and sank 13-of-15 free throws in the outing. It was the first 40-point performance for Ouachita since Breanna Harris scored 41 against Harding in 2016.

Two days later, Thornton led the Tigers to their first GAC win of the season, snapping a nine-game losing streak to Harding in the process, beating the Lady Bisons 82-60 at home. It was the largest margin of victory for Ouachita over Harding since 2001. In the win, she scored 22 points and hauled in five rebounds.

So far this season in five games, Thornton has four games with at least 20 points. She leads the nation in scoring with an average of 25.8 points per game, nearly three full points ahead of the next highest scorer.

Thornton and the Tigers play their final non-conference game of the season this Wednesday, December 8 at home against Williams Baptist University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena.