Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week Release
 
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Opening Peach Belt Conference play this past week, redshirt-junior forward Andrea Benford (Madison, Ga.) came to play, a fact that was recognized on Monday, December 21 as she was named the PBC Women's Basketball Player of the Week.
 
Benford delivered an impressive week against two of the top teams in the PBC, including one that was ranked No. 15 in the nation. In those two games she averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.5 assists. That was in addition to a .586 shooting percentage (17-of-29), all of which came in an average of 26.5 minutes.
 
She opened the week facing a high-scoring Lander (12/17) squad and was instrumental in the Lakers 82-61 victory over the 7-2 squad that had been averaging better than 89 points per game. In that game she scored 16 points and hauled in 13 boards, four on the offensive glass, along with blocking five shots and notching a steal in 27 minutes of action. She also shot .533 from the field (8-of-15).
 
It would be an even tougher challenge awaiting Clayton State in their 2015 finale as they hosted No. 15 Francis Marion (12/19). Benford was more than equal to the task as she posted 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting (.643) and grabbed five boards to go along with an assist and steal in 26 minutes. That performance helped lead Clayton State to a 73-61 victory, ending FMU's undefeated season and moving the Lakers to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the PBC.
 
On the season Benford is averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game.
 
Since gaining provisional membership in the Peach Belt in 1995-96 and full-time membership in 1997-98, the Lakers have had a total of 22 Player of the Week selections among just 11 players. Most recently, senior center DaQuenna Moore (Plantersville, S.C.) earned the award on November 24, 2014.
 
All-time, Drameka Griggs and Joya Collier hold the program record with four overall selections. Griggs earned all four of hers during the 2012-13 season (12/4, 1/7, 1/22, 2/18) while Collier earned two in 1998-99 (12/14, 1/18) and two in 1999-2000 (1/10, 2/21). The latter was also the first Clayton State women's basketball player to earn the honor.
 
Overall, the Lakers have had at least one player selected as Player of the Week in 12 of their 19 seasons as a full-time member of the league. Seven of those have seen multiple selections.
 
Benford and Clayton State will be back in action in 2016 when they travel to Young Harris on Saturday, January 2.
 
All-Time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week Selections (22/11 Individuals)
 
2015-16 (1)
12/21 – Andrea Benford
 
2014-15 (1)
11/24 – DaQuenna Moore
 
2013-14 (2)
12/16 – Shacamra Jackson
3/3 – Shacamra Jackson
 
2012-13 (4)
12/4 – Drameka Griggs
1/7 – Drameka Griggs
1/22 – Drameka Griggs
2/18 – Drameka Griggs
 
2011-12 (2)
1/23 – Tanisha Woodard
2/27 – Tanisha Woodard
 
2010-11 (1)
2/14 – Teshymia Tillman
 
2005-06 (3)
1/3 – Shelcey Harp
1/9 – Jasmine Patterson
2/27 – Shelcey Harp
 
2004-05 (1)
1/3 – Jamika Hindsman
 
2002-03 (2)
12/2 – Catreia Shaw
1/13 – Catreia Shaw
 
2001-02 (1)
12/4 – Catreia Shaw
 
1999-00 (2)
1/10 – Joya Collier
2/21 – Joya Collier
 
1998-99 (2)
12/14 – Joya Collier
1/18 – Joya Collier