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Tarleton State University Athletics

ShadasiaWACNewcomeroftheWeek
Avery Golden

Women's Basketball Grant Cohen

Brackens collects first weekly award, named WAC Newcomer of the Week

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Women's Basketball junior forward Shadaisa Brackens earned her and the team's first weekly award of the season, being named Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week on Monday. 

Brackens nearly averaged a double-double this past week, averaging 14.5 points per game and nine rebounds per game in the ACU Christmas Classic. She notched her fifth double-double of the season on Friday with 10 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Texans to a win over defending WNIT champions Buffalo. Brackens was one point shy of a career-high in Saturday's game against Montana, scoring 19 in the non-conference finale.

The former North Texas forward has been an immediate contributor in her first season with the Texans. Brackens has the most double-doubles on the team with five this season and currently leads Tarleton State in rebounding (91, 8.3 rebounds per game). Her five double-doubles through Dec. 19 made her the first Texan since 2016 to have at least five double-doubles in Tarleton State's first 10 games (Mackenzie Hailey). 

Brackens has shined since her Texan debut, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds in the season opener against Schreiner. She was the first Texan in the Division I Era to have a double-double in a season opener and the first to accomplish that feat since 2016. With teammate Allie Myers also grabbing 10 rebounds in the contest, Brackens was part of the first Texan duo to record 10+ rebounds in game one since 1996. 

After scoring a career-high 20 points against Arkansas State, Brackens went on to post four straight double-doubles between Nov. 25-Dec. 19. Brackens joined teammate Elodie Lutbert with posting double-digit points and rebounds in the same three games between Nov. 25-Dec. 7. It is the first time since 1985 a Tarleton State duo had three straight double-doubles in the same three games (Kathy Buckler, Kelly Hubbard, Nov. 12-20). 

Prior to her arrival in Stephenville, Brackens played 51 career games for North Texas and scored 143 points to go with 82 rebounds. Consistently providing a spark off North Texas' bench, she helped the Mean Green set a program record for wins last with 25. Her production off the bench continued during the Mean Green's postseason run in the WNIT, scoring 12 points to go with nine rebounds in North Texas' first round win over UT Arlington.

The Fairfield High School standout led the Eagles to a pair of Texas high school state championships and four consecutive appearances in the 3A State title game. Brackens was a two-time All-State selection and received District 20-3A Defensive Player of the Year honors. She also earned a spot on the 2022-23 All-State Tournament Team and was ranked as a top 35 player in the state of Texas by Premier Basketball Report. 

Tarleton State opens WAC play on Monday, December 29 against UT Arlington at 7 p.m. at the EECU Center. Fans can get discounted tickets for the game by using the promo code HOLIDAYBB. 
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Players Mentioned

Allie Myers

#32 Allie Myers

F
6' 1"
Junior
Elodie Lutbert

#27 Elodie Lutbert

C
6' 6"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Allie Myers

#32 Allie Myers

6' 1"
Junior
F
Elodie Lutbert

#27 Elodie Lutbert

6' 6"
Freshman
C