Saint Xavier University sophomore guard/forward Morgan Stuut from the women’s basketball team and junior guard Brad Karp from the men’s basketball team each took home distinct honors last week. Stuut was named the NAIA women’s basketball player of the week as well as the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) player of the week while Karp won the CCAC player of the week award for the fifth time in six weeks.
Stuut had a monster week in which she averaged a double-double of 23.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games against CCAC foes Indiana University-South Bend (Ind.), No. 6 ranked Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) and Roosevelt University (Ill.).
Stuut recorded 19 points and 16 rebounds in an 80-68 victory over Indiana University-South Bend, she then tallied 26 points and 12 rebounds against Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Ill., en route to an 86-69 victory over ONU. In the third game against Roosevelt University at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Stuut once again registered a double-double with 25 points and 19 rebounds in an 81-61 victory.
“I am extremely excited and surprised by the award. A lot of the credit goes to the team though; because I would not have gotten the award if it was not for my team and us doing well and winning games,” said Stuut.
Stuut currently averages a double-double of 19.2 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game. Stuut also leads the team with 27 blocks and she has played in all 21 games for Saint Xavier this season. SXU holds an 18-3 overall record and a 13-3 record in conference.
“This is a hard award to get. I think Morgan is an example that you only reap the benefits of the work that you put in,” sais Saint Xavier women’s basketball head coach, Bob Hallberg.
“She is such a hard worker and she deserves those type of accolades. Her work ethic pushes her to the next level and she is working in the gym when she does not have to be. She is such a nice person and she is a good student so deserves this award and she earned it.”
Karp continues his stellar play and he continues to add hardware to his collection as he was named the CCAC player of the week for the fifth time in the last six weeks two weeks ago where he averaged 23.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games.
Karp led the Cougars to three wins against conference rivals in Indiana University-South Bend (Ind.), Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) and Roosevelt University (Ill.)
Karp started the week with 23 points and nine boards in a winning effort against IUSB, 68-58, he then recorded 18 points and nine rebounds in an 81-64 victory over ONU.
Karp capped off the week with a 29 point and 19 rebound performance against Roosevelt University en route to an 88-65 win over the visiting Lakers.
“It’s kind of cool, but all of the credit goes to the team. It is an individual award, but realistically it is a team award. Everyone is getting me the ball; it is really a team award. It is pretty cool, but all of the credit goes to the team,” said Karp.
Karp currently leads the team with 22.9 points per game as well 9.2 rebounds per game. Karp has played in all 23 games for the Cougars and has eclipsed 800 minutes played this season. Saint Xavier holds a 19-4 overall record and a 15-2 record in the CCAC.
“He brings so much to the game in multiple facets, he is a great shooter, rebounder and he never fails to give the ball up for an assist,” said Saint Xavier men’s basketball head coach, Tom O’Malley.
“Brad is an even better person than he is a player and he is a great player. He never asks for anyone to do more than he does. He is in the gym by himself working hard and keeping himself in great shape.”