SEWARD, Neb. – Senior Riley Sibbel enjoyed the most productive offensive week of her career. As a result, the O’Neill, Neb., native has been tabbed the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, as announced on Tuesday (Jan. 7). Sibbel is the second Bulldog this season to earn the award, joining Grace Barry (GPAC Player of the Week on Dec. 17).
Sibbel actually re-set her career high point total twice last week. She netted 15 points in the 91-87 win at No. 12 Northwestern and followed it up with 26 points in the 69-55 victory over No. 6 Dordt. On the week, Sibbel made 15-of-23 (.652) shots from the floor and 7-of-13 (.538) attempts from beyond the arc. By halftime against Dordt, Sibbel had already totaled 20 points. The St. Mary’s High School product added three rebounds and three steals versus Dordt.
One of the team’s top defensive players, Sibbel has played in 87 games in her career as a Bulldog and has compiled 380 points, 161 steals, 141 rebounds and 96 assists. Her current average of 8.0 points per game is a career high. Sibbel and the senior class own a four-year record of 119-9.
Sibbel and the top-ranked Bulldogs (14-1, 9-0 GPAC) will be headed to fourth-ranked Hastings (17-0, 9-0 GPAC) for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff on Wednesday.