Kwanza Murray (Summerville, S.C./Summerville (Lackawanna College)) of Lincoln University (Pa.) has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Women's Division II National Player of the Week for the week ending November 24.
 
Murray was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Player of the Week for her performance in the Lions' three victories last week, which included several school records. Murray averaged 33.0 points per game, while shooting 66.1 percent from the field, including 56.5 percent (13-of-23) from three-point range.
 
"This is a much earned award," said Lions Head coach Darrell Mosley.   "This young lady is a true definition of a leader.  She comes in everyday ready to work and lead our group.  She's the first in every sprint and does things without any complaints.  It doesn't amaze me at all (her accolades this season) because we all know what she is capable of doing; it's just now that everybody is just getting a glimpse." 

Murray is the first Lincoln women's basketball player in program history to earn national recognition from the USBWA.
 
The senior guard opened the week with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting with two rebounds, an assist and a block in a 75-66 win over West Chester.
 
Murray then poured in a Division-II era school record 41 points on a school record eight three-pointers in an 85-69 win over Shippensburg. She made 15-of-20 field goals, including 8-of-10 from long range and was a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. Murray also set school records for field goals in a game, three-point field goals in a game and three-point percentage in a game (80 percent) in that win.
 
The Summerville, South Carolina native closed out the week with 34 points in a 74-63 win over conference foe Johnson C. Smith, netting 17 of those points in the final six minutes 58 seconds of the game. Murray was 13-of-20 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range, while also recording five rebounds and six steals.
 
In addition to her torrid offensive numbers, Murray added three rebounds, two assists and three steals per game.
 
"Kwanza is so humble and grateful to be in this position and just wants to see us win at the end of the day, " adds Mosley. "She has earned that right to have the green light in my system and we will continue to feature her while others are finding their groove as well."
 
On the season, Murray is averaging 23.9 points per game and is shooting 54.8 percent from the field.  Her scoring average ranks ninth among all NCAA Division II players.  Murray also ranks 3rd nationally in field goals made (69) and fourth in three-point field goals made (24). Lincoln is 7-1 overall and ranked sixth in the most recent D2SIDA Atlantic Region Media Poll.
 
2019-20 USBWA Women's Division II National Player of the Week
Week of Nov. 10: Brianna Purcell, Saint Michael's College
Week of Nov. 17: Kayla Marosites, Carson-Newman University
Wek of Nov. 24: Kwanza  Murray, Lincoln University (Pa.)