Bringing you D II news, notes, from the teams as well as players.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women’s basketball players of the week.

Eastern Division Athlete of the Week

Madeline Evams
Lock Haven, Center
Sophomore, Bloomsburg, Pa. / Bloomsburg

Evans had a monster week in the paint to lead the Bald Eagles to a pair of victories over Georgian Court and Clarion. The sophomore pulled in an astonishing 43 rebounds and averaged 17.5 points per game. In the victory over Clarion, Evans pulled in a career-high 24 rebounds and scored 18 points. Evans pulled in 13 offensive rebounds and her game total fell just one shy of the Bald Eagles' program record. In the victory over Clarion, Evans notched another double-double, this time finishing with 17 points and a game-high 19 rebounds. Six rebounds came on offense and 13 came on defense. The PSAC leading rebounder now has four double-doubles on the year and is averaging 13.8 points and 13.4 rebounds.

Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week

Michelle Kozicki
West Chester, Forward
Senior, Wilmington, Del. / Padua

Michelle Kozicki (Wilmington, Del./Padua) recorded back-to-back double-doubles as she ran her streak to three in a row on the second weekend of PSAC East/West Crossover action this past weekend. On Friday afternoon, Kozicki scored 15 points and corralled 14 rebounds, while also registering three assists and a pair of steals to help lead West Chester to its fourth win over Cal in series history and second in the last three meetings. This victory was also West Chester’s first regular-season win over the Vulcans since January 2012. On Saturday, Kozicki registered another double-double, finishing with 21 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in an eventual setback at the hands of the 18th-ranked Crimson Hawks.

Western Division Athlete of the Week

Nyshae' Weaver
IUP, Forward
Junior, Baltimore, Md. / Alderson Broaddus

Against West Chester, Nyshae' Weaver had 18 points, 8-11 field goals, 13 rebounds, and 1 block. Against Shepherd, Weaver had 26 points, 12-13 field goals, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists.

Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Week

Morgan Gentile
Edinboro, Guard
Graduate Student,Athens, Pa. / Elmira

Gentile led the Scots to a pair of PSAC wins over Mansfield and East Stroudsburg averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. In the Scots win over Mansfield, Gentile tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds to go with three blocks and a steal. With the Scot defense shutting down East Stroudsburg, Gentile notched 12 points and five boards in just under 29 minutes of action. The Scots held the Warriors to single digit scoring in both the first and third quarter. Gentile tallied three steals and a block.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason polls for the 2024-25 women’s basketball season. MIAA head coaches tabbed Pittsburg State to finish at the top of the league while MIAA media members picked Fort Hays State to take the 2025 crown.

The MIAA tipped off the 2024-25 basketball season with the Association’s annual Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City. Commissioner Mike Racy announced the men’s and women’s preseason rankings from MIAA coaches and media representatives during his opening remarks of the 2024 MIAA Basketball Media Day, presented by Seigfreid Binghham.

Pittsburg State led the coaches preseason poll with 164 points and 10 first-place selections. The Gorillas captured the 2024 MIAA tournament title for the first time in program history and will return all starters from the 2023-24 lineup. After making an appearance in the opening of the Central Region Championship, the Gorillas finished the 2023-24 season 24-8 overall and 15-7 in the MIAA to finish the regular season standings in a tie for fifth. Pitt State was also selected second in the media preseason poll with 229 points and three first-place votes.

Fort Hays State was picked MIAA favorites by media representatives who cover MIAA teams. The Tigers went 25-8 overall last season and 16-6 in the MIAA to finish the regular season in a three-way tie for the league’s runner-up. Fort Hays State finished also second in the coaches poll with 156 points and three first-place nods.

Northwest Missouri and Missouri Southern finished third and fourth, respectfully, in both the coaches and media poll. Bearcats and Lions both joined the Tigers in a three-way tie for the defending MIAA runner-up title. Both teams went 16-6 in the league while Northwest ended the season 23-8 and Southern finished with an overall record of 20-9.

The 2024-25 MIAA women’s basketball season will feature just one new head coach – Ashton Feldhaus is entering her first season leading an NCAA Division II program with the Griffons.

The 2024-25 NCAA Division II women’s basketball season officially begins the first weekend of November with MIAA contests starting the first week of December. To view the complete schedule for all MIAA women’s basketball programs,

2024-25 MIAA WOMEN'S PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 164 points
2. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points
3. Northwest Missouri [2] – 142 points
4. Missouri Southern – 137 points
5. Central Missouri – 124 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 97 points
7. Missouri Western – 89 points
8. Emporia State – 86 points
9. Northeastern State – 80 points
10. Washburn – 68 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 50 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 39 points
13. Rogers State – 29 points
14. Newman – 17 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes

2024-25 MIAA WOMEN'S PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Fort Hays State [9] – 246 points
2. Pittsburg State [5] – 231 points
3. Northwest Missouri [1] – 225 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 206 points
5. Missouri Western [2] – 192 points
6. Central Missouri [1] – 174 points
7. Emporia State – 139 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 129 points
9. Washburn – 107 points
10. Northeastern State – 101 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 84 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 74 points
13. Rogers State – 66 points
14. Newman – 21 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes