Akila Smith Named Big South Player of the Week
Women's Basketball
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FARMVILLE, Va. - After a dominant opening week on the glass and in the paint for the Lancers, Longwood women's basketball junior
Akila Smith was named Big South Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
The award is the first for Smith, and the latest for a Lancer team that secured 10 Big South weekly awards in the 2019-20 season. Through two games in the early season, the forward has averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, notching her third and fourth career double-doubles. Shooting a blistering .625 from the field, the Orlando, Fla. native has also notched multiple steals in two-consecutive contests.
In the Lancers season opener at ACC-powerhouse Duke, Smith poured in 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, shooting an impressive 8-12 from the field while swiping two steals.
In an encore performance in Longwood's home opener with East Tennessee State, Smith racked up 14 points and 13 rebounds, including a career-best 10 on the offensive glass, with three steals. The versatile forward was everywhere in the opening quarter, tallying eight points and seven boards (including six offensive) to stake the Lancers to an 18-10 lead.
Smith's strong start to the season comes on the heels of a 2019-20 campaign where she set the Longwood single-season record with a conference best 74 blocks, along with seven double-digit rebounding performances.
Up next for Longwood is a trip to Fairfax, Va. for a Commonwealth-clash with George Mason. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.
#GoWood
