In the first weekly poll of the 2017-18 season, women's basketball center Tierra McGowan has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.
McGowan, in her Morehead State debut last Saturday, recorded 15 points, a game-high 16 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block in a 75-71 come-from-behind win over Sacramento State in the Matthew Mitchell Classic at Johnson Arena. 10 of McGowan's 16 boards came on the offensive glass in just 16 minutes off the bench, earning the 6-foot-3 junior Most Valuable Player honors at the conclusion of the contest.
"It's a tremendous accomplishment what Tierra was able to do in her Division I debut with only 16 minutes of playing time," said head coach Greg Todd. "The honor is well deserved. I look forward to her recording more double-doubles throughout the season."
McGowan transferred from Rock Valley (Ill.) last summer, where she was named the 2017 NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Player of the Year. The Chicago native led the Golden Eagles to a 57-49 victory over Roxbury CC (Mass.) in overtime of the NJCAA Division III national championship game, wherein McGowan logged 20 points and 20 rebounds en route to being named the tournament's MVP.
